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Panel Reviews Polluted River Status, Calls for Action on Sewage & Monitoring

A Central Monitoring Committee reviewed the latest status of India's polluted river stretches based on a 2025 CPCB report. The meeting, chaired by Secretary V. L. Kantha Rao, assessed progress on sewage treatment, wastewater reuse, and floodplain zoning across multiple states. While the overall number of polluted stretches has decreased since 2018, the committee noted new polluted segments in some states requiring corrective action. It concluded by urging states to adopt a time-bound, outcome-oriented approach with emphasis on operational efficiency and compliance.

Key Points: Jal Shakti Ministry Reviews Polluted River Stretches, Progress

  • Reviewed CPCB 2025 polluted river stretch data
  • Focus on sewage treatment plant gaps and performance
  • Directed states to enable real-time monitoring
  • Noted reduction in polluted stretches since 2018
2 min read

Jal Shakti Ministry panel reviews status of polluted river stretches

Central committee reviews CPCB 2025 report on polluted rivers, stresses sewage treatment, real-time monitoring, and state-level action for water quality.

"sustainable improvement in river water quality depends not only on the creation of infrastructure but on its effective utilisation - V. L. Kantha Rao"

New Delhi, March 2

The 21st Meeting of the Central Monitoring Committee on river rejuvenation on Monday reviewed the latest status of polluted river stretches based on the CPCB's 2025 report, an official said.

The meeting was held under the chairpersonship of V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The Committee reviewed progress on sewage treatment plants, capacity utilization, floodplain zoning, reuse of treated wastewater, and institutional monitoring through River Rejuvenation Committees in respect to Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, other officials of NMCG, and representatives of State Governments and State Pollution Control Boards.

While reviewing the latest status of polluted river stretches, the committee examined the progress made by States in implementing approved Action Plans.

The Chair underlined that sustainable improvement in river water quality depends not only on the creation of infrastructure but on its effective utilisation, regulatory compliance, and timely project execution, said the statement.

Priority areas highlighted included bridging sewage treatment gaps, improving performance of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), expediting ongoing and tendered STP projects and associated works on developing sewage networks, strengthening industrial pollution control, scaling up reuse of treated wastewater, and accelerating floodplain demarcation.

The Secretary also directed the States to enable real-time monitoring to enhance transparency and accountability in pollution control effort.

A comparative review of polluted river stretches identified in 2018, 2022, and 2025 showed a continued reduction in the overall number of polluted stretches since 2018.

However, the Committee noted that certain states have reported the addition of new polluted stretches and deterioration in specific river segments, calling for focused corrective action.

The meeting concluded with a call for states to adopt a time-bound, outcome-oriented approach to river rejuvenation, with emphasis on operational efficiency, inter-departmental coordination, and sustained compliance to achieve long-term water quality improvement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Good to see the overall number of polluted stretches is reducing. But the article says new polluted stretches are being added. That's worrying. Are we just shifting the problem from one place to another? 🤔
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Aman W
Building STPs is one thing, maintaining them is another. In my city, the STP built 5 years ago is already running at half capacity. The focus on effective utilisation is the key point here. More meetings, less action won't help our rivers.
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Sarah B
As someone who recently visited Rishikesh, the contrast between the pristine Ganga there and the polluted stretches downstream is heartbreaking. The inter-state coordination mentioned is crucial. Pollution doesn't respect state borders!
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Karthik V
Reuse of treated wastewater should be a national priority, especially for states like Rajasthan. We are a water-stressed country. Every drop counts. Hope they fast-track policies for industries and agriculture to use this treated water.
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Nisha Z
The mention of Lakshadweep and Andaman is interesting. Even our island ecosystems are not safe. This is a pan-India problem. Glad to see it's being addressed, but execution is everything. Jai Jal Shakti! 💧

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