Namami Gange Programme | 11 Mar 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) has marked significant progress in its mission to rejuvenate the sacred River Ganga. 

  • It was launched in 2014 with a Rs 20,000 crore budget until 2021, and now extended to March 2026 with Rs 22,500 crore (total: Rs 42,500 crore).

What is the Namami Gange Programme? 

  • About: It is a flagship programme for the rejuvenation of the Ganga River and its tributaries by reducing pollution, improving water quality, and restoring the river’s ecosystem. 
  • Implementation: Five-Tier Structure for Ganga Rejuvenation. 
  • 8 Pillars of NGP: 

 

  • Key Interventions:  
    • Pollution Abatement (Nirmal Ganga): Setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs), reducing industrial and domestic waste discharge. 
    • Improving Ecology and Flow (Aviral Ganga): Restoring natural flow and biodiversity, implementing water conservation measures. 
    • Strengthening People-River Connect (Jan Ganga): Promoting community participation and awareness, involving local stakeholders in conservation efforts. 
    • Facilitating Research and Policy (Gyan Ganga): Supporting scientific research and studies, formulating evidence-based policies. 
  • Implementation: Under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by the winning bidder handles STP development, operation, and maintenance.  
    • 40% of costs are paid post-construction, 60% over the project’s lifespan. 
  • Key Achievements:  
    • Pollution Abatement: Sewage treatment capacity surpassed the pre-2014 capacity by over 30 times. 
    • Improvement in Water Quality: Water quality improved in Uttar Pradesh from BOD 10-20 mg/l (2015) to 3-6 mg/l (2022), in Bihar from 20-30 mg/l (2015) to 6-10 mg/l (2022), and in West Bengal from 10-20 mg/l (2018) to 6-10 mg/l (2022). 
      • Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures oxygen needed by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water. Higher BOD indicates more pollution; lower BOD means cleaner water. 
    • Impact on Biodiversity: The Gangetic river dolphin population increased from 3,330 in 2018 to 3,936 in 2024, with sightings in new stretches like Bithura to Rasula Ghat (Prayagraj), Babai, and Bagmati Rivers. 
  • Global Recognition: In December 2022, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration acknowledged NGP as one of the Top 10 World Restoration Flagship Initiatives. 
    • The International Water Association awarded NGP the title of Climate Smart Utility. 
Click Here to Read: What are the Challenges in the Namami Gange Programme? 

Importance of River Ganga 

  • Lifeline of India: Supports 47% of India’s population across 11 states. 
  • Agriculture & Economy: 65.57% of the basin is used for agriculture. 
  • Cultural & Religious Significance: Sacred to million people across different religions. 
  • Water Scarcity: The Ganga River Basin is the second most water-stressed in India, receiving only 39% of the average per capita annual rainwater input. 

Ganga_River_Basin

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’? (2016)

  1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
  2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
  3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Q. Consider the following statements: (2014) 

  1. Animal Welfare Board of India was established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  2. The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
  3. The National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 2 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (b)