Why in the News?

The 57^th Executive Committee meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by DG Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, approved projects worth Rs. 1,062 crore. These include sewage and drainage management in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities for Mahakumbh 2025, septage co-treatment in Uttarakhand, online STP monitoring, river conservation efforts and a gharial breeding program.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• It was established in 2011.
• Aim: To ensure the effective execution of the Namami Gange Programme which aims to clean and conserve the Ganga River.
• After the dissolution of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) in 2016, it is the implementation arm of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (National Ganga Council).
• It is under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Projects are often executed under the Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Funding is provided by both central and state governments, as well as external agencies such as the World Bank.

Namami Gange Programme

• It is an integrated conservation mission to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• It was approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 Crore.
• Key Components
  • Building and upgrading Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in cities and towns along the Ganga to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river.
  • Deploying technology and resources to clean floating debris and solid waste from the surface of the river.
  • Ensuring that industries along the river meet pollution control norms by implementing and monitoring Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
  • Projects like the conservation of Gangetic dolphins, gharial breeding programs, and restoring habitats for aquatic life.
  • Promoting Ganga Grams (clean model villages) by implementing solid and liquid waste management systems.