Namami Gange Programme

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

Namami Gange Programme (NGP), also known as the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), is an integrated river management initiative launched by the **Government of India** in June 2014. It aims to reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity, and rejuvenate the river Ganga and its tributaries across multiple states.[1][2] The project spans eight states and has an allocated budget of approximately ₹20,000–22,500 crore (US $2.5–3 billion) from 2014 to 2026.[1][3]

Objectives and components

[edit]

The NGP comprises multiple components aimed at restoring the river's health:

  • Sewage treatment plant (STP) construction and upgrade[3]
  • Interception, diversion, and treatment of wastewater[1]
  • Riverfront and ghat development[1]
  • Industrial effluent monitoring[3]
  • Solid waste and surface cleaning[3]
  • Biodiversity conservation and afforestation[3]
  • Rural sanitation under "Ganga Gram"[3]
  • River basin awareness via outreach programmes[3]

Implementation

[edit]

The initiative is overseen by the **NMCG**, under the **Ministry of Jal Shakti**, supported by State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) and local agencies.[1] It employs a multi-tier governance structure with:

  1. A National task force chaired by the **Cabinet Secretary**
  2. State-level steering committees chaired by Chief Secretaries
  3. District-level committees chaired by District Magistrates[1]

Progress and criticism

[edit]

By mid-2020, approximately ₹30 billion had been spent on NGP initiatives.[2] However, several evaluations—e.g., by the **Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)** and the **National Green Tribunal (NGT)**—identified delays, underutilisation of funds, and incomplete STP infrastructure.[4][2] Environmental groups such as **SANDRP** have criticized governance lacunae and questioned whether infrastructure projects alone can restore river flow and water quality.[4]

Recognition

[edit]

The programme has received international attention, including features at **COP26** in Glasgow, where it launched Roadshow events in the UK. Reports indicate a modest rise in ecological indicators, such as increased presence of river dolphins.[3][5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Namami Gange Programme". India.gov.in Spotlight. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  2. ^ a b c "Cleanup efforts: Namami Gange Programme." *Pollution of the Ganges*. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Jain & Dixit (2023). "Namami Gange Programme: Projection vs Processing." *GAEE India*. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  4. ^ a b Kumar (2017). "Namami Gange: why it is a failure." *National Herald*. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  5. ^ "Modi’s Namami Gange Initiative Quietly Achieving Milestones." *Swarajya*, 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-20.