Ganga and Yamuna River Pollution Control Initiatives

Indian rivers, especially the Ganga and Yamuna, face severe pollution due to rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure. The government responded with two major river-cleaning programmes: the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) and the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP).

• Rapid urbanisation and population growth along riverbanks
• Discharge of untreated domestic sewage due to insufficient sewage treatment plants (STPs)
• Industrial effluents containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals
• Agricultural runoff carrying pesticides and fertilizers
• Religious/social practices (idol immersion, cremation waste)

Fact: All 14 major rivers of India – including Godavari, Ganga, Gomti, Cauvery, Narmada, and Mahi – are reported polluted.

Water Quality Indicators:

• Launched: 1986, by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
• Coverage: ~2,500 km of the Ganga, from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar (Bay of Bengal)
• Apex Body: Central Ganga Authority
• Ministry: Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)

Objectives/Measures:

• Interception and diversion of wastewater
• Construction of sewage treatment plants
• Solid waste management
• Installation of electric crematoria
• Riverfront development
• Low-cost sanitation
• Strong emphasis on public awareness

Implementation:

• Phase I: 261 schemes planned, 256 completed by 30-09-1999
• Approved budget: ₹462.04 crore; amount spent: ₹452 crore
• Progress rated "by and large satisfactory"

Recent Development: Namami Gange Project, launched under PM Narendra Modi, continues the Ganga cleanup mission.

• Launched: April 1993, by the Government of India (MoEF)
• States Covered: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana
• Funding: Loan assistance from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
• Total Cost: ₹732 crore

Objectives/Measures:

• Sewage treatment plants for domestic sewage
• Effluent treatment plants for industrial waste
• Low-cost toilets
• Electric crematoria

Ground Reality:

• Wazirabad–Okhla stretch in Delhi remains critically polluted: high bacterial population, high BOD, cloudy water, foul odour, floating sludge
• Eutrophication (algal mats) observed; DO shows supersaturation in patches
• Chambal River confluence provides some dilution downstream

Outcome: Widely considered unsuccessful – "Yamuna still stinks" despite investment.

Suggested Remedies: Treat sewage close to the source; reuse/recycle treated effluent; public education on water management.