Cleaning of Ganga was initiated in 1985 under Ganga Action Plan (GAP). Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I was launched as a centrally funded scheme in 1985 and later GAP Phase-II was initiated in 1993.
Various pollution abatement schemes including interception & diversion of sewage and setting up of sewage treatment plants were taken up under the GAP. The pollution problem of river Ganga could not be fully addressed under GAP.
The Central Government has, therefore, set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) in 2009 as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning.
The Central Government approved the Namami Gange program on 13th May, 2015 as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the river Ganga and all tributaries under one umbrella by consolidating the existing ongoing efforts and planning for a concrete action plan for the future with an allocated budget of Rs. 20,000 crore for 5 years.
Under both phases of GAP, a total of 575 schemes have been sanctioned for undertaking pollution abatement activities in the identified polluted stretches of the river Ganga, of which 524 schemes with a capacity to treat pollution load of 1098 million litres per day (mld) have been established.
A total of STP capacity of 869 mld and 229 mld has been established under GAP-I and II respectively. 27 schemes under NGRBA have been completed so far and 123 mld capacity created.
The total expenditure under the GAP Phase – I & II is Rs. 938.57 crore till 31st March, 2013. Under NGRBA, an additional amount of Rs. 1177.64 crore was spent till 31.03.2015.
BE for 2015-16 is Rs.2750.00 crore out of which Rs. 760.00 crore has been spent till 31st October 2015. The project is scheduled for completion by 2020 and is not behind schedule.
