River Action Plans

The water quality data generated through National Water Monitoring Programme and River Basin Studies carried out since, 1980 indicated deterioration of water quality in riverine segments and other water bodies. The water bodies not meeting the desired water quality criteria are identified as polluted river stretches/water bodies. The deviation of water quality from the desired water quality criteria in the data generated for the river Ganga formed the basis for launching Ganga Action Plan (GAP). Subsequently, the river stretches not meeting the desired criteria are identified in all the major river basins. The identified polluted river stretches were intensively surveyed by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to identify the sources of pollution such as Urban Centres and Industrial Units.

National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) is implementing the River Action Plans for restoration of water quality based on the findings of survey reports submitted by CPCB/SPCBs. The thrust of NRCD is towards providing funds to state agencies for interception, diversion and treatment of sewage discharged to the water bodies from identified Urban Centers. At present NRCD is implementing the Action Plans in 157 cities and towns located along 30 rivers. The name of the rivers are Adyar, Cooum, Betwa, Bhadra, Brahmani, Cauvery, Chambal, Damodar, Ganga, Godavari, Gomti, Khan, Krishna, Kshipra, Mahanadi, Mandovi, Narmada, Pennar, Sabarmati, Satluj, Subarnarekha, Tapti, Tunga, Tungbhadra, Tambiraparni, Vennar, Vaigai, Walnganga, Yamuna and Musi.

The schemes taken up by NRCD are related to Municipal Wastewater Treatment and are progressing in various stages. The component of Industrial Effluents contribution to polluted stretches is required to be addressed by SPCBs through consent management and surveillance. The SPCBs may compile information on Industrial Effluents being discharged in the polluted stretches in their respective states and come out with a time targeted plan to restore the water quality in the rivers. The SPCBs may also carry out performance study of functional Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to evaluate the efficacy of treatment systems. This exercise shall be helpful in enforcement of treatment standards imposed by SPCBs and NRCD.