NMCG adds 538 MLD sewage treatment capacity in FY 2025-26, completes 28 STPs

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Tuesday said the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has made “notable progress” in strengthening sewage treatment infrastructure and pollution abatement measures along the Ganga and its tributaries during 2025-26.

“The achievements during the year reflect a focused and sustained effort toward enhancing treatment capacity, completing key projects, and addressing critical pollution hotspots across multiple states,” the ministry said in a statement.

A cumulative treatment capacity of 538.03 million litres per day (MLD) was added through 18 projects across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar, it added.

“Notably, 28 sewage treatment plants (STPs) were completed during

the year, marking a significant increase compared to 22 STPs completed in the previous year,” the ministry said, pegging the total cost of investment at nearly Rs 4,700 crore.

Uttar Pradesh emerged as a key contributor, with projects in Moradabad, Shuklaganj, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Prayagraj and Agra.

“Among these, the project in Varanasi, focused on the Assi-BHU area, added the highest capacity of 55 MLD,” the ministry said.

In Prayagraj, a major initiative involving the interception and diversion of 13 drains along with the augmentation of the Salori STP created an additional 43 MLD capacity at a sanctioned cost of Rs 331.75 crore, it said.

The statement said Moradabad added 25 MLD capacity, Shuklaganj 5 MLD, and Vrindavan 13 MLD, while Agra recorded an addition of 166 MLD.

In Uttarakhand, projects across Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Muni ki Reti contributed to wastewater management.

“The Udham Singh Nagar project addressed multiple polluted river stretches, adding 10.3 MLD capacity, while Dehradun’s Sapera Basti project added 15 MLD,” it said.

Decentralised interventions in Haridwar contributed 0.23 MLD, while Muni ki Reti added 11 MLD capacity.

“Jharkhand registered progress with the completion of a project in Phusro, which added 14 MLD of treatment capacity at a sanctioned cost of Rs 61.05 crore,” the ministry said.

In West Bengal, projects in Maheshtala, Jangipur, Chakdah, and North Barrackpore strengthened pollution abatement efforts.

“The Maheshtala project emerged as a major contributor, adding 35 MLD capacity,” it said.

The statement said Jangipur added 13 MLD, Chakdah 15 MLD, and North Barrackpore 30 MLD capacity.

In Bihar, projects in Digha, Kankarbagh and Bhagalpur added 30 MLD, 35 MLD and 22.5 MLD capacity.

The ministry said the Namami Gange Programme has introduced a digital “Drain Dashboard” to monitor drains discharging into the river and track sewage diversion to STPs.

“A Ganga Pulse Public Portal has been developed by NMCG to strengthen the monitoring framework for STP infrastructure ensuring transparency and accountability,” it said.

“The portal presents readings at the entry point (Inlet) and the discharge point (Outlet) to show how wastewater quality improves after treatment,” the ministry added. PTI ADI VN VN