Government Announces To Geo-Tag Drains Along Ganga To Curb Solid Waste Discharge Into River

The Government of India announced that all drains carrying discharge from villages located on the banks along the river Ganga will be geo-tagged to curb the release of solid waste into the river.

The Government of India on Sunday announced that all the drains carrying discharge from villages located on the banks along the river Ganga will be geo-tagged to curb the discharge of solid waste into the river, according to the official statement, as reported by news agency PTI. Details and more information on the geo-tagged drains will be soon shared with urban local bodies, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the rural Swachh Bharat Mission (G) for taking immediate action on the matter.

The developments comes after a meeting held last month, in which, a senior NMCG official stated that due to the construction of a tunnel at Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, debris was being dumped along the banks of the Ganga, reported PTI.

The official also said this was causing an increase in the level of solid waste pollution in the river water.

He further said that at various locations along the banks of the Ganga, solid waste continues to be dumped and this is making its way into the river water.

“This is creating problems in the treatment of the wastewater at STPs (sewage treatment plants). In this regard, the secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, stated that funds under AMRUT 2.0 could be used to install screens and stop solid waste from making its way into the river water,” said the official release as quoted by PTI.

In this regard, cooperation from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been sought, as per the statement.