* Rs 16,201 Cr Mission delivers historic transformation
Prabhat Ranjan Deen
LUCKNOW, May 15: Once synonymous with pollution, untreated sewage discharge, and deteriorating water quality, the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh is now scripting a new story of ecological revival. Under the Namami Gange programme, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the “Anchor State” of India’s largest river restoration mission.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an investment of Rs 16,201 crore for sewage infrastructure projects in the state. This unprecedented investment reflects how the convergence of policy, technology, and sustained monitoring can breathe new life into a once severely degraded river ecosystem.
This allocation constitutes nearly 45 percent of the total sewage infrastructure investment approved nationwide under the Namami Gange programme. Out of 80 sanctioned projects, 53 have already been completed, while 1,520 MLD of the total planned 2,701 MLD sewage treatment capacity is already operational.
Uttar Pradesh, with the longest stretch of the Ganga and decades of accumulated pollution load, was prioritized for this investment. Today, however, the scenario is changing – and the transformation is now reflected not only in Government claims but also in official environmental data.
The Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 2025 assessment report has formally acknowledged the improvement in the health of the Ganga. In 2018, the entire stretch from Kannauj to Varanasi was categorized as a “Priority-IV” polluted segment. Today, that continuous polluted belt has disappeared.
Pollution is now limited to only three smaller stretches – Farrukhabad to Old Rajapur, Dalmau, and Mirzapur downstream to Tarighat. These have been placed in the “Priority-V” category, considered the lowest level of pollution just before the “unpolluted” classification.
Nalin Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Director General (DDG), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) said, that, according to CPCB’s independent monitoring, the main channel of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh now meets bathing-quality BOD standards across most stretches. This marks not merely an administrative achievement, but a real and measurable improvement in the river’s water quality after decades.
From Varanasi and Prayagraj to Kanpur, Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Moradabad, Bhadohi, Bijnor, and Shuklaganj, sewage networks and STP projects are being implemented at war footing across 11 major cities in Uttar Pradesh. The 55 MLD STP at Assi-BHU in Varanasi is handling sewage requirements for nearly 1.8 million people, while Agra’s 31 MLD and 35 MLD STPs together are benefiting nearly 2.5 million residents. CETPs at Jajmau and Mathura are already operational, while construction of the Banthar CETP in Unnao is progressing rapidly.
Even during Maha Kumbh 2025, when the arrival of millions of pilgrims multiplied wastewater loads in Prayagraj, these treatment plants continued functioning without disruption. This demonstrated that decentralized and energy-positive wastewater treatment systems can serve as a practical model for the urban India of the future.
At the Assi drain confluence area in Varanasi, NMCG has deployed “Advanced Oxidation Technology” as a major technological intervention for pollution control. This technology treats excess wastewater directly at the discharge point, preventing untreated sewage from entering the Ganga.
This rapidly deployable system has been installed at locations historically known for high pollution levels. Until permanent sewerage networks are fully completed, this technology will remain at the frontline of Ganga conservation efforts.
The remaining polluted stretches – Farrukhabad-Old Rajapur, Dalmau, and Mirzapur-Tarighat – have already been identified and incorporated into the active project pipeline. Future phases will focus on targeted investment, accelerated construction, and intensive monitoring in these regions.
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