The pollution load on rivers has increased over the years due to rapid urbanisation and industrialization. Abstraction of water for irrigation, drinking, industrial use, power and other purposes compounds the challenge. This problem is being addressed collectively by the Central & State Governments.

The Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in river conservation through the centrally sponsored National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). This Plan presently covers 38 rivers in 167 towns spread over 20 states. Pollution abatement schemes under NRCP include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage, low cost sanitation works on river banks, electric and/or improved wood crematoria etc. Sewage treatment capacity of nearly 4000 million litres per day has been created under this Plan, so far.

River conservation activities such as creation of civic infrastructure for sewage management and disposal are also being implemented under other central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri. Radha Mohan Singh, Adhalrao Patil Shivaji, P. Viswanathan and Arujn Munda in Lok Sabha today.