New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) Safe reuse of treated wastewater remained a key focus of the 19th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on Ganga Rejuvenation on Thursday, with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil directing states and urban local bodies to expedite the implementation of reuse projects, while ensuring strict compliance with the prescribed quality standards.
Chairing the meeting, Paatil reviewed the progress of the Namami Gange programme and stressed that treated wastewater meant for irrigation and other applications should undergo regular quality monitoring to safeguard public health and agricultural productivity.
The meeting reviewed the completion of city-level reuse action plans for Agra, Prayagraj and Varanasi, which identify opportunities
for using treated wastewater in sectors such as thermal power, railways, urban landscaping and irrigation.
Officials informed the meeting that 524 projects worth Rs 43,031 crore have so far been sanctioned under the Namami Gange programme, of which 363 have been completed. The programme has recorded an expenditure of more than Rs 21,550 crore.
Under sewerage infrastructure, 218 projects have been sanctioned with a treatment capacity of 6,610 MLD and a sewer network of 5,233 km.
Of these, 145 projects have been completed, creating and rehabilitating 4,263 MLD of treatment capacity and more than 4,611 km of sewerage network.
The meeting was informed that 538 MLD of sewage-treatment capacity was added during 2025-26, taking the cumulative capacity created under the programme to around 4,260 MLD.
Paatil directed states to maintain the momentum for a timely completion of ongoing projects.
The minister appreciated the commencement of trial testing of the 100-MLD Dhandhupura Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Agra, which is expected to significantly reduce untreated wastewater entering the Yamuna after commissioning.
He also lauded the commissioning of the 55-MLD Bhagwanpura STP in Varanasi, saying it has strengthened the city’s sewage-treatment capacity, while incorporating a 750-kW solar power plant to meet a significant share of its operational-energy needs.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the constructed wetland system for in-situ remediation of the Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar drains in Delhi and discussed groundwater recharge measures, including the preparation of a standard operating procedure for engineered groundwater recharge along the Ganga main stem and identification of priority districts by the Central Ground Water Board.
Paatil also directed implementing agencies and state governments to expedite pending activities related to environmental flow monitoring, sewerage infrastructure, land acquisition, DPR preparation, groundwater recharge, aerial-drainage mapping, sand-mining management and city sanitation action plans, saying the rejuvenation of the Ganga requires sustained coordination among all stakeholders. PTI ADI RC
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