Namami Gange Utilised Only 69 Per Cent Funds, Only 52 Per Cent Of Targeted Sewage Capacity Achieved: Think-Tank

According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research reported by The New Indian Express, the Namami Gange Programme only managed to utilise 69 per cent of its allocated funds by 2024-25, falling short of its ambitious goals.

The Central Pollution Control Board has reported a slight enhancement in the water quality of the Ganga. However, it also highlighted that industrial waste continues to be a significant contaminant.

PRS's Demand for Grants 2025-26 Analysis for the Union Jal Shakti ministry revealed that over 450 industries are not adhering to pollution standards. Furthermore, the capacity for sewage treatment continues to be a limiting factor.

Only 52 per cent of the intended treatment capacity of 7,000 million litres per day (MLD) has been reached, resulting in the ongoing release of untreated sewage into the river.

"The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) targets a sewage treatment capacity of 7,000 MLD around the Ganga by December 2026. 200 projects have been sanctioned to create sewage treatment plants with a capacity of 6,217 MLD, and to lay a sewerage network of 5,282 kilometres but, as of June 2024, 86 per cent of the targeted sewage network has been laid but only 52 per cent of the targeted sewage treatment capacity has been achieved," the think-tank analysis was quoted by TNIE.

The think-tank asserted that the programme "underutilised (funds allocated to it) every year since 2014-15, except two years (2020-21 and 2021-22)" and that "69 percent of the budgeted amount has been spent up to 2024-25."

The 2024 Public Accounts Committee (PAC) noted that the fund was mostly unused, according to PRS. "As of 31 March 2024, the fund had Rs 876 crore. Of this, Rs 383 crore has been sanctioned for various projects," the think-tank said.

The Project Advisory Committee identified multiple shortcomings in the project management undertaken by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

"Delays in the approval of detailed project reports, slow pace of implementation, and low fund utilisation were observed. Poor record maintenance was also noted," it had said.

The PAC observed significant spending on advertising and promotion, which did not correspond with a proportional effect on the ground.

"While the Clean Ganga Fund was set up to collect funds from non-resident Indians and corporates, 53 per cent of the funds (as of March 2024) have come from public sector undertakings. The PAC recommended that the NMCG find alternate means to generate funds," PRS was quoted as saying by TNIE.