NMCG Approves Over Rs 1573 Cr To Save Taj & Tackle Pollution in Yamuna Basin

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved ten projects worth Rs 1573.28 crore for 10 projects in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh aimed at tackling heavy pollution in the  Yamuna basin.  While the timeline for actual completion of these projects was not given, we have been given to understand that most are supposed to be closed from the last quarter of 2019 onwards, going up to 2021. That,  while not ideal, is at least on course with the many other projects that are all slated for completion from early 2019 onwards, from Varanasi to Kanpur.  So if things do go to plan, devotees can hope that their prayers will be answered for a healthier Yamuna, a river that, for all practical purposes is more a conduit for sewage, than a river at all, for large stretches today, Not least of all, Delhi.

The approval came from Union minister Nitin Gadkari and UP CM Aditynath who in a statement said that this will form a comprehensive solution needed to be worked out to address Yamuna’s pollution issues in Agra. The project for Rehabilitation/Renovation of Agra Sewerage Scheme (Interception and Diversion Works) has been conceived at a total cost of Rs 857.26 crores
Major components of the project are:

-Tapping of 61 nalas/drains, construction of 3 Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP’s) of total capacity 166 MLD

-Construction of 10 decentralized STPs of 9.38 MLD and renovation of 2 existing STPs

-Laying of rising main of 17.61 km, renovation of Sewage Pumping Station (SPS), renovation of STPs renovation of interception work

-Upgradation of STPs (for chlorination), and operation & maintenance for 15 years

The government release said that projects are aimed at reducing pollution and preserving the Taj Mahal building and its surrounding area.

NMCG also approved interception and diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Kasganj for Rs 76.73 crore. The project envisages construction of 2 I&D structures, network laying of the length of 2.8 KM and 15 MLD capacity STP.

For Sultanpur, located on the banks of Gomti River in Uttar Pradesh, the projects were approved at a cost of Rs 64.76 crores. Further, the NMCG approved projects worth Rs. 328.52 crore in Chhapra, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur and Khagaria in Bihar.

For Bihar’s Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, the department approved sewage treatment projects worth Rs 35.49, Rs 35.88, 21 Crore. On completion, the projects will stop the discharge of untreated sewage from these towns into the Ghaghra and Ganga Rivers.

For West Bengal’s Burdwan Municipality, the projects were approved at a total project cost of Rs.234.31. These projects include 50 MLD STP, 19 KM Network,1 Main Pumping Station (MPS). Burdwan, is the headquarter of Purba Bardhaman district.

Meanwhile, Sewerage scheme for Zone-II and III of Paonta Town, Himachal Pradesh was approved at a total project cost of Rs.11.57 crore. This includes new 1.72 MLD STP, Minor repair and filter in existing 0.44 MLD STP (Extended Aeration) and 1.0 MLD (Extended Aeration), 30 KLD Septage Handling unit.