The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) held its 60th Executive Committee Meeting on Wednesday, chaired by the Director General, where several projects were approved to support the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga River.
One of the major projects approved involves the interception and diversion of the Durga Drain in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, along with the construction of a 60 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP).
The project, with an estimated cost of ₹274.31 crore, is designed to enhance wastewater management. It includes a 75 MLD main pumping station and other structures necessary for effective sewage treatment. The project will follow the hybrid annuity model to ensure long-term sustainability.
Another project was approved for Bhadohi, aimed at preventing untreated sewage from entering the Varuna River, a tributary of the Ganga. This initiative, with an investment of ₹127.26 crore, includes the construction of three STPs with capacities of 17 MLD, 5 MLD, and 3 MLD. An extensive sewer network will also be established to tap four major drains. The project will be implemented under the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring efficient operation and maintenance over the next 15 years.
The Executive Committee also approved “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope,” a project focused on raising awareness about the historical, cultural, and ecological importance of the Ganga River.
Implemented in collaboration with the National Book Trust, this initiative will include activities such as Ganga Mobile Parikrama, Chaupal Ganga Kinare, Ganga Awareness Week, and the Ganga Ambassador Program. The project will feature mobile libraries, digital storytelling, school workshops, and literary sessions along the riverbanks to encourage community participation in conservation efforts.
In West Bengal, a drone-based monitoring project was approved to track afforestation efforts under Namami Gange Mission-II. The project will assess the health of planted saplings, develop a digital database, and support the effective implementation of afforestation programs along the riverbanks.
The projects approved in the 60th NMCG Executive Committee Meeting focus on wastewater management, pollution control, afforestation, and public engagement in Ganga conservation efforts. These initiatives align with the broader mission of ensuring a cleaner and healthier river ecosystem.
