Namami Gange Programme: Salient Features

Namami Gange Programme: Salient Features

Question - The Namami Gange programme is the latest initiative to boost governance efforts for a cleaner nation. Discuss the salient features of this programme.

• Union Cabinet has approved the Namami Gange programme integrating efforts to clean and protect the Ganga in a complete way

• Programme will be implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga/NMCG and its state counterpart State Programme Management Groups/SPMG

• A three tier mechanism has been proposed for monitoring the programme comprising:

- At National Level: High level task force chaired by Cabinet Secretary assisted by NMCG
- At State Level: Committee chaired by Chief Secretary assisted by SPMG at state level
- At District Level: District committee chaired by DM

• Centre will provide 100% funding of activities/projects under this programme

• Centre will provide assets operation and maintenance for a minimum of 1 decade and use a PPP/SPV method for combating pollution hotspots

• Centre also plans to establish a territorial army unit called 4-Battalion Ganga Eco-Task Force for checking pollution and river protection

• Programme emphasises coordinated mechanisms between ministries /agencies of central and state government; other infrastructure investments falling in mandate of other ministries will also be included

• Namami Gange focuses on pollution elimination interventions through:

• Interception, diversion and treatment of waste water flowing through open drains through appropriate in-situ treatment, bio-remediation, innovative technologies. sewage/STPs and effluent treatment plants and rehab as well as augmentation of existing STPs

• Approach is underpinned by socio-economic benefits such as

- Job Creation
- Enhanced livelihood opportunities
- Apart from this, there will also be health benefits

Facts and Stats

• Programme has budget outlay of INR 20,000 crore for the coming 5 years

• This is a four fold increase in expenditure in the past 3 decades

• This programme involves giving people on the river banks the right to sustainable results

• State and grass root level institutions such as Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies are also involved in the programme