“Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope” project got approval

Lucknow : National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved significant Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) in Varanasi and Bhadohi areas of Uttar Pradesh. The 60th Executive Committee Meeting of the NMCG, chaired by the Director General NMCG, approved these projects amounting to more than ₹400 crores, which are aimed at the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga River.

The committee approved the interception and diversion of the Durga Drain and the construction of a 60 MLD capacity sewage treatment plant (STP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at a cost of ₹274.31 crore. This project, based on the hybrid annuity model, includes a 75 MLD capacity main pumping station and other essential structures, ensuring long-term wastewater management and pollution control.

Additionally, another significant project was approved to prevent the flow of untreated sewage into Varuna, a major tributary of the Ganga, in Bhadohi. With an investment of ₹127.26 crore, it will establish three STPs with capacities of 17 MLD, 5 MLD, and 3 MLD, along with an extensive sewer network to tap four major drains and prevent pollution. This project follows the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance over the next 15 years.

Further, the Executive Committee (EC) of NMCG has undertaken a breakthrough initiative with the approval of “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope,” an innovative project designed to foster public participation in Ganga conservation through literature, education, and community engagement. Implemented in collaboration with the National Book Trust, this initiative, will highlight the historical, spiritual, and ecological significance of the river.

Other programs such as Ganga Mobile Parikrama, Chaupal Ganga Kinare, Ganga Awareness Week, and the Ganga Ambassador Program will be introduced, featuring mobile libraries, digital storytelling, school workshops, and literary sessions along the riverbanks. These efforts inspire behavioural change and encourage deeper community involvement in conservation efforts.

The projects approved during the 60th NMCG Executive Committee Meeting reaffirm the mission’s commitment to Ganga conservation through infrastructural advancements, pollution control, and public engagement. Key initiatives include sewage treatment plants and afforestation, alongside the innovative “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope” project to foster awareness and participation in river rejuvenation efforts.