Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil on Thursday reviewed the progress of the Namami Gange programme and directed states and implementing agencies to accelerate pending works, strengthen treated wastewater reuse and improve groundwater management to speed up the rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
Chairing the 19th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga, Patil said 524 projects worth ₹43,031 crore have been sanctioned under the programme so far, of which 363 have been completed. The government has spent over ₹21,550 crore on the mission. Of the 218 sewerage infrastructure projects approved, 145 have been completed, creating and rehabilitating 4,263 MLD of sewage treatment capacity and laying more than 4,611 km of sewerage network. During 2025-26 alone, the programme added 538 MLD of sewage treatment capacity, taking the cumulative capacity created to around 4,260 MLD.
The meeting reviewed several recent milestones, including trial testing of the 100 MLD Dhandhupura Sewage Treatment Plant in Agra and the commissioning of the 55 MLD Bhagwanpura STP in Varanasi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Varanasi plant also features a 750-kW solar power system to meet a significant portion of its energy needs.
Patil also reviewed the progress of nature-based solutions, including constructed wetlands for in-situ treatment of the Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar drains in Delhi, and asked officials to ensure timely completion so the projects can serve as models for sustainable wastewater management.
The meeting highlighted biodiversity conservation efforts under Namami Gange, including river ranching to restore native fish species, the community-led rejuvenation of Bihar’s Baya river, and the rescue of a stranded Gangetic dolphin using India’s first Dolphin Ambulance. Officials also noted that the number of Ramsar wetlands within the Ganga basin has risen to 35.
Patil stressed the need for integrated management of surface water and groundwater and reviewed progress on engineered groundwater recharge plans being prepared by the Central Ground Water Board. He also directed states to expedite implementation of city-level treated wastewater reuse plans for Agra, Prayagraj and Varanasi, ensuring that recycled water meets prescribed quality standards before being used for irrigation, industries and urban landscaping.
The minister further reviewed action taken on environmental flow monitoring, sewerage infrastructure, land acquisition, drainage mapping, groundwater recharge, sand mining management and city sanitation plans, asking all implementing agencies to complete pending tasks without delay. He said rejuvenating the Ganga requires sustained coordination among the Centre, states, urban local bodies, scientific institutions and local communities to achieve the vision of a clean and uninterrupted river while strengthening long-term water security and ecological resilience.
