Efforts of Yogi Govt resulting in rejuvenation of Ganga & its tributaries rapidly in UP

New Delhi: Keeping up with its promise of making the rivers of Uttar Pradesh clean, the Yogi Adityanath government is working to give new dimensions to the ambitious Namami Gange project.

The state government in the second phase of the Namami Gange programme (for the period 2021-2026) is engaging itself in the creation of proper sewerage infrastructure on the tributaries of the Ganges, increasing public-private partnership and is emphasising on circular water economy model, sludge and septage management, and more.

In pursuance of the directives issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Namami Gange is being taken forward in the state through various initiatives to restore the significance of the Ganga and for its conservation and protection.

Eight projects will be completed in just 4 months under CM’s direct supervision

Owing to direct and sustained supervision of CM Yogi Adityanath, a total of eight projects will be completed in the state in just four months from September 2022 to December 2022. These projects include, STP for Naini, Phaphamau & Jhusi areas in Prayagraj, at Rs. 767.59 crores. This project includes three Sewage Treatment Plants of 72 MLD capacity.

Similarly, the construction of STPs of 160 MLD capacity in Kanpur at a cost of Rs 967.23 crore, Interception and Diversion structures of 15 MLD capacity at Unnao at a cost of Rs 102.2 crore, Interception and diversion of 5 MLD capacity at Shuklaganj in Unnao at a cost of Rs 65.18 crore are also being constructed.

Moreover, Interception and Diversions of 17 MLD capacity are being built at the cost of Rs 70.18 crore at Sultanpur, of 10 MLD capacity at the cost of Rs 48.76 crore at Budhana and of 30 MLD capacity at Jaunpur at a cost of Rs 206 crore. The construction of 14 MLD capacity interception and diversion is being done in Baghpat at a cost of 77.36 crores, which will be completed by December 2022.

Centre approves 55 sewerage projects

It is noteworthy that the estimated sewage generation in the state is about 5500 MLD, a major part of which is treated by the 114 STPs established in the state with a capacity of 3539.72 MLD. To bridge this gap, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed several sewerage projects to the Central Government. Resultantly, the Central Government approved a total of 55 sewerage infrastructure projects for the construction of STPs of1574.24 MLD capacity for the state at an estimated cost of Rs 11433.06 crore.

Due to the constant monitoring through frequent review meetings conducted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath an improvement has been registered in the biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the Ganga flowing in Uttar Pradesh (Kannauj to Varanasi).

The water quality criteria for bathing at all the comparable locations (all 20 locations) during the years 2014 and 2022 were found to be met. While DO has improved in 16 out of 20 places, BOD has improved in 14 out of 20 places and FC has improved in 18 out of 20 places.

The Central Government had earlier stated that no sewerage infrastructure project sanctioned in Prayagraj was completed before 2014. Three STPS of 42+16+14 MLD capacity were also sanctioned by NMCG to treat the additional wastewater generated from the city with the efforts of the Chief Minister. The NMCG also approved a project to upgrade the existing STPs at Naini, Salori and Rajapur. Keeping in view the condition of Prayagraj, NMCG has approved these 2 projects on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).