Ganga Water Found Unsafe for Consumption Beyond Devprayag Despite Ongoing Cleanliness Efforts

A recent audit report has raised serious concerns about the quality of water in the Ganga River, indicating that despite extensive efforts under the central government’s flagship Namami Gange programme, the river remains unfit for consumption in several stretches across Uttarakhand.

 

The findings, presented in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) covering the implementation period from 2018 to 2023, highlight that while the river water up to Devprayag falls under Category ‘A’—making it suitable for drinking after minimal treatment—the quality deteriorates significantly downstream. From Rishikesh to Haridwar, the water is classified under Category ‘B’, rendering it unfit for direct consumption.

 

The report underscores gaps in the execution of the Namami Gange programme in the state, despite substantial budgetary allocations and policy focus. It points to several shortcomings in infrastructure development and monitoring mechanisms, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initiatives undertaken to clean the river.

 

One of the key observations relates to the inadequate development of sewage treatment infrastructure. Under the programme’s first phase, 16 towns from Gaumukh to Haridwar were included, with a focus on preventing untreated sewage and waste from entering the river. This included the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and the diversion of drains carrying polluted water.

 

However, the audit found that progress in these areas has been inconsistent. In many locations, the planned sewage management systems remain incomplete or insufficient, allowing untreated waste to continue flowing into the river. The report also highlights that while funds were allocated for establishing comprehensive sewage facilities in towns along the Ganga, the implementation has been lacking.

 

Additionally, the functioning of the State Ganga Mission and the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has come under scrutiny.