Jal Shakti Minister Chairs 20th Meeting of Empowered Task Force on Ganga Rejuvenation

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil chaired the 20th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) on Ganga rejuvenation in New Delhi. MoS Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, senior officials of the Centre and states, and NMCG officers also joined. The focus was on better sewage systems, safe reuse of treated wastewater, groundwater management and nature-based solutions.

The Meeting Reviewed the Status of Sewage Infrastructure and Key Interventions

The meeting checked DPR preparation, land availability, aquifer mapping, wetlands and City Sanitation Action Plans. The revised DPR for the Barauni STP has gone to IIT-BHU for appraisal. The DPR for Shantipur STPs in West Bengal has been approved. Bihar and West Bengal have notified policies on reusing treated wastewater, while Jharkhand is awaiting Cabinet approval.

The Meeting Reviewed Overall Status of Projects under the Namami Gange Programme and Its Performance during FY 2025-26

As of August 2026, 527 projects worth ₹43,266 crore have been sanctioned, and 368 are complete. In sewerage, the numbers are:

The Minister told agencies and states to finish ongoing projects on time and clear pending DPRs and land issues quickly.

The Meeting Also Reviewed the Academic Courses Developed under the River City Alliance

NMCG and NIUA have built two courses to bring water governance into higher education. "Principles of Urban River Management" is offered at Mitraj Sarvajanik (formerly SCET Surat) and OP Jindal Global University. "Eco-friendly Waterfront Development" is offered at the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. Students who complete them may be considered for river-related work in cities.

Main Focus of the Meeting Was the Rejuvenation of Gomti Udgam Sthal in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh

NMCG approved the Master Plan for the Gomti origin site in December 2025. The DPR for lake restoration and a 1 MLD nature-based STP has been approved, with sanction issued on 17 September 2026. The DPRs for turtle habitat restoration and Panchvatika, and for infrastructure, are still being considered. The Minister asked for work to start without delay.

Rejuvenation of the Niranjana/Falgu River in Bihar

The plan includes afforestation, groundwater recharge and recharge trenches. Bihar's Water Resources Secretary is now the state nodal officer. NMCG has asked the state to confirm the Bill of Quantities and cost estimates quickly so the project can be approved and started.

The meeting also reviewed the status of the rejuvenation of the River Yamuna

In Uttar Pradesh, projects are sanctioned for Mathura-Vrindavan, Kosi-Chhata, Agra, Firozabad and Etawah to curb untreated sewage. In Delhi, the work includes the Yamuna Ecological Task Force, drone surveys of drains and the Interceptor Sewerage Project. The Coronation Pillar and Okhla STPs will help increase the river's environmental flows.

Public Participation and Other Initiatives

Swachhta Hi Seva 2026 drives, small river workshops and the launch of the SURM Framework and the riverine microplastics protocol were also reviewed. Paatil said river rejuvenation must go beyond pollution control to cover groundwater, biodiversity and community participation.