The major cause of rising organic pollution particularly Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the rivers is due to discharge of untreated and partially treated domestic effluents by various municipalities across the country and therefore interception, diversion and treatment of sewage have been among the major works taken up. Sewage treatment capacity of 4664 million litres per day has been created so far under the Plan. Creation of sewerage infrastructure for its disposal is the responsibility of the State Governments/Urban Local Bodies. Assistance is also provided in this regard through other central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns. The Minister of state (I/C) for Environment and Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan stated this in Rajya Sabha today.
Smt. Natarajan said that the water quality, in terms of BOD values for major rivers is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works under NRCP. However, the levels of bacterial contamination in terms of fecal coliform are reported to be exceeding the maximum permissible limit at a number of locations along various rivers.
She further stated that conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments and this Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in pollution abatement in identified river stretches under NRCP. This Plan presently covers 40 rivers in 190 towns spread over 20 States. Inclusion of additional rivers/towns under the Plan is a continuous process based on proposals received from State Governments, the funds available under the Plan, degree of pollution etc.
Smt. Natarajan said that the water quality, in terms of BOD values for major rivers is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works under NRCP. However, the levels of bacterial contamination in terms of fecal coliform are reported to be exceeding the maximum permissible limit at a number of locations along various rivers.
She further stated that conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments and this Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in pollution abatement in identified river stretches under NRCP. This Plan presently covers 40 rivers in 190 towns spread over 20 States. Inclusion of additional rivers/towns under the Plan is a continuous process based on proposals received from State Governments, the funds available under the Plan, degree of pollution etc.