NMCG clears key projects for Ganga, Yamuna rejuvenation at 67th EC meeting

The 67th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was chaired by Director General Rajeev Kumar Mital.

The EC deliberated on various issues for the rejuvenation of the river Ganga, focusing on pollution abatement and research.

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The EC also focused on rejuvenation of the Yamuna in Delhi through safe and efficient conveyance of treated sewage to the river, and educational public outreach to school children in Delhi.

The Executive Committee approved the ‘Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna’ initiative amounting to Rs 39.37 lakh, aiming to sensitize over 2.5 lakh youth across at least 200 schools in Delhi-NCR, fostering awareness and responsibility towards river conservation.

The programme envisions the formation of River Youth Clubs, encourages positive behavioral changes among youth regarding water usage, and enhances Namami Gange outreach. Appraised by IIPA, the project will be completed in six months.

The Executive Committee placed a strong emphasis on research-led river rejuvenation, approving major research projects aimed at strengthening scientific understanding and data-driven planning across the Ganga basin.

These initiatives span critical areas—from Monitoring of Key Himalayan Ganga Headstream glaciers, Digital Twin development for the Ganga, and high-resolution SONAR-based riverbed surveys, to managed aquifer recharge via paleochannels and the creation of a historic geospatial river database. Together, these research interventions mark a significant advancement in NMCG’s strategy to integrate cutting-edge science, AI tools, and real-time hydrological modelling into long-term river basin management.

The approvals reflect NMCG’s commitment to ensuring that policy decisions and restoration measures are guided by robust scientific evidence, enabling precision planning for climate resilience, groundwater security, sediment management, and river health across the Ganga basin.

As a major initiative towards pollution abatement in West Bengal, the EC approved the project for the Interception and Diversion of drains and the construction of STPs for pollution abatement of the River Mahananda in Siliguri, costing Rs 361.86 crore. This project comprises 25 I&D structures, 4 lifting stations, two STPs of 27 MLD and 22 MLD, and an extensive network of rising mains and I&D lines. The project will be implemented on a Hybrid Annuity-based PPP model. Together, these initiatives will significantly improve urban sanitation systems and reduce pollution loads entering the rivers in West Bengal.

The EC approved the Conveyance of Treated Sewage from Coronation Pillar STP to the River Yamuna. The proposal aims to ensure the safe and efficient conveyance of treated sewage from the Coronation Pillar STP to the River Yamuna, thereby improving the river’s water quality and supporting the ongoing efforts of the Yamuna Action Plan. The project includes key components such as tapping of untreated sewage from the Jahangirpuri drain, construction of new pumping stations, laying of rising mains and RCC channels, creation of truss bridges for drain crossings, and conveyance infrastructure for treated effluent.