changeadminThe 67th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) placed strong emphasis on research-led river rejuvenation, approving major research projects across the Ganga basin.
The Executive Committee meeting under India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti deliberated on various issues for the rejuvenation of the river Ganga, focusing on pollution abatement and research.
EC also focused on rejuvenating the Yamuna in Delhi through safe and efficient conveyance of treated sewage to the river and educational public outreach to schoolchildren in Delhi.
The research projects aim to strengthen scientific river management in India 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 of research projects 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.
River Mahananda in Siliguri
As a major initiative towards pollution abatement in West Bengal, EC approved the project for the Interception & Diversion of drains and the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for pollution abatement of the River Mahananda in Siliguri, costing ₹361.86 crore.
This project comprises 25 I&D structures, four 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 West Bengal’s rivers.
River Yamuna
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.
Glaciers in the Upper Ganga Basin
The Executive Committee approved the project on Glaciers and Glacier Melt Runoff Changes and Their Linkage to the Hydro-climatic and Topographic Context in the Upper Ganga Basin at a cost of ₹3.98 crore.
To be implemented by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, the study will examine glacier retreat and changing snow cover, and their impacts on melt-runoff in the Upper Ganga Basin.
Using field observations, remote sensing, and a coupled modelling framework, the project will assess long-term glacier behaviour, changes in runoff, and associated risks, such as flash floods and GLOFs.
Survey of the Ganga River from Bijnor to Ballia
Another project to strengthen scientific river management is the approval of the SONAR-based Bathymetric Survey of the Ganga River from Bijnor to Ballia at an estimated cost of over three crore, covering 1,100 km.
The project aims to generate a high-resolution, SONAR-based underwater topographic baseline to support sediment management, hydrodynamic modelling, environmental-flow assessment, and long-term restoration planning under the Namami Gange programme.
Ganga–Yamuna Doab (Prayagraj–Kanpur stretch)
The Executive Committee approved the project on ‘Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) over discovered paleochannels in the Ganga–Yamuna Doab (Prayagraj–Kanpur stretch)’ at a total cost of ₹242.56 lakh.
The study aims to identify suitable government land sites and construct scientifically designed MAR structures, such as recharge pits and shafts, along the paleochannel between Kaushambi and Kanpur.
The project includes installing monitoring systems, such as Digital Water Level Recorders, at six locations and assessing the impacts of groundwater recharge over two hydrological cycles.
Digital Twin and Water Cycle Atlas for the Ganga Basin
The Executive Committee approved the proposal titled Towards Intelligent River Basin Management: A Digital Twin and Water Cycle Atlas for the Ganga Basin using Hydrological Modelling, AI, and Satellite Remote Sensing, with an estimated total cost of ₹3.31 crore.
The project aims to develop an advanced Digital Twin and Water Cycle Atlas for the Ganga River Basin by leveraging AI, satellite remote sensing, and hydrological modelling for real-time, data-driven river basin management.
Digitisation of Historical Maps of the Ganga Basin
Approval was granted for the Digitisation and Geospatial Database of Historical Maps of the Ganga Basin, costing ₹2.62 crore.
The project includes the identification and digitisation of historical maps (pre-1900 to post-1950), creation of a GIS-based database, a secure geo-portal, and an analytical assessment of river morphology and floodplain changes.
Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna
In addition to scientific river management, EC approved the ‘Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna’ initiative, amounting to ₹39.37 lakh, aiming to sensitise over 2.5 lakh youth across at least 200 schools in Delhi-NCR, fostering awareness and responsibility towards river conservation.
To be completed in six months, the programme envisions the formation of River Youth Clubs, encourages positive behavioural changes among youth regarding water usage, and enhances Namami Gange outreach.
Wrapping Up
Through these approvals, the National Mission for Clean Ganga has paved the way for improved river water management in India, strengthened monitoring systems, and enhanced scientific capabilities, all of which are crucial to the rejuvenation of the Ganga and other water bodies in the country.
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