The 58th Executive Committee meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General of NMCG, approved several key projects aimed at the conservation of the Ganga River and its ecosystems.
Environmental Flow Assessment Project
The committee approved a project to assess the environmental flow of the Chambal, Son, Damodar, and Tons rivers, with a budget of ₹11 crore. The initiative includes developing hydrological and hydrodynamic models to scientifically evaluate flow systems. By studying existing water streams and natural flow patterns, the project aims to enhance water quality and quantity while documenting biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem balance.
Ganga River Dolphin Conservation
A ₹1 crore project titled “Advancing Rescue System for the Protection of Stranded Ganges River Dolphins” was also sanctioned. It includes developing a specialized rescue vehicle, the “Dolphin Ambulance,” to aid dolphins in distress. The project will also focus on creating awareness and building community capacity through training programs.
Turtle Conservation in the Ganga Basin
An innovative project for conserving endangered turtles in Uttar Pradesh’s Ganga basin was approved, with a budget of ₹78.09 lakh. The initiative seeks to rehabilitate endangered turtle species, reintroduce three highly threatened species, and establish a Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool at the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Rehabilitation of Kolkata’s Keorapukur STP
The committee approved the rehabilitation of the 50 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Keorapukur, Kolkata, with a revised budget of ₹114.27 crore (previously ₹67.06 crore). This project aims to enhance water purification and includes a 15-year operation and maintenance plan to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Bardhaman Integrated Septage Treatment Plant
In Bardhaman, West Bengal, a revised budget of ₹10.35 crore (up from ₹6.46 crore) was approved for the Integrated Septage Treatment Plant. The project includes constructing a 50 KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) and ensuring its operation and maintenance for five years.
New Season of “Rag-Rag Mein Ganga”
The meeting approved a proposal for the third season of the travelogue series “Rag-Rag Mein Ganga – Ek Jeevan Dhara”. This 16-episode Hindi series will explore the Ganga’s ecological importance, aquatic life, eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and community involvement. Produced at a cost of ₹6.25 crore, the series will air on Doordarshan and highlight conservation efforts and the Ganga’s rejuvenation journey.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by Smt. Richa Mishra, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with senior officials of NMCG, including Shri Nalin Srivastava, Shri Anup Kumar Srivastava, Shri S.P. Vashishth, Shri Bhaskar Dasgupta, and Smt. Nandini Ghosh, Project Director, SPMG West Bengal.
These initiatives reflect NMCG’s continued commitment to safeguarding the Ganga and its tributaries while promoting biodiversity and ecological sustainability.
