20th Empowered Task Force Meeting on Ganga Rejuvenation
The Ministry of Jal Shakti conducted the 20th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on Ganga Rejuvenation under the chairmanship of Union Minister Shri C.R. Paatil, with participation from Minister of State Shri Raj Bhushan Chaudhary and senior officials from various ministries and state governments. The meeting reviewed the comprehensive progress of the Namami Gange Programme and discussed strategies for accelerating river rejuvenation through multiple interventions including sewage infrastructure development, scientific water management, treated wastewater reuse, ecological restoration, and groundwater management.
Namami Gange Programme Performance and Infrastructure Status
As of August 2026, the Namami Gange Programme has sanctioned 527 projects with a total investment of ₹43,266 crore, out of which 368 projects have been completed. Under sewerage infrastructure specifically, 219 projects have been sanctioned, creating a treatment capacity of 6,603 million liters per day (MLD) along with a sewer network of 5,245 kilometers. Of these, 147 sewerage projects have been completed, operationalizing 4,339 MLD of sewage treatment capacity and 4,615 km of sewer network. The programme also encompasses interventions in bioremediation, solid waste management, industrial effluent treatment, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, livelihood generation, and public outreach.
Specific River Rejuvenation Projects
The meeting reviewed several specific river rejuvenation initiatives. For Gomti Udgam Sthal in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, the Master Plan for Rejuvenation and Integrated Development was approved in December 2025. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for lake restoration and a 1 MLD Nature-Based Solutions sewage treatment plant has been approved, with administrative approval and expenditure sanction issued on September 17, 2026. DPRs for turtle habitat restoration and infrastructure development are under consideration.
For Niranjana/Falgu River in Bihar, interventions include afforestation, groundwater recharge, and recharge trenches to improve the river ecosystem and enhance water availability. The Secretary of Bihar's Water Resources Department has been nominated as the State-level Nodal Officer, tasked with verifying Bill of Quantities and cost estimates using latest Schedule of Rates.
Yamuna River rejuvenation efforts include sanctioned projects in Mathura-Vrindavan, Kosi-Chhata, Agra, Firozabad, and Etawah focusing on sewage collection, conveyance, and treatment infrastructure. Delhi interventions include Yamuna Ecological Task Force formation, wetland management, Urban River Management Plan preparation, drone-based drain surveys, and environmental flow augmentation through Coronation Pillar and Okhla STPs.
Academic and Capacity Building Initiatives
The meeting reviewed academic courses developed under the River City Alliance, including 'Principles of Urban River Management' offered at Mitraj Sarvajanik (formerly SCET Surat) and OP Jindal Global University, and 'Eco-friendly Waterfront Development' at School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. These courses cover watershed management, river morphology, stormwater management, environmental flows, eco-friendly riverfront design, floodplain regulation, riparian ecology, water-sensitive urban design, and climate resilience.
Outreach and Policy Initiatives
Key outreach activities since the 19th ETF meeting included Swachhta Hi Seva 2026 cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns across various locations. The Minister interacted with water conservation champions recognized for grassroots efforts in water conservation, environmental protection, and community mobilization.
National consultation workshops on Framework for Small River Rejuvenation were conducted in New Delhi, Pune, and Guwahati during July-August 2026, focusing on scientific planning, Nature-Based Solutions, groundwater recharge, environmental flows, and community participation.
During the 9th India International Water Week 2026, the Sustainable Urban River Management Framework and Protocol for Riverine Microplastics Monitoring were launched to support sustainable river-city management and scientific pollution monitoring.
World River Day activities included awareness campaigns and cleanliness drives by the 39th Ganga Task Force of 137 CETF BN (TA) at riverfront locations in Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Delhi.
Policy Direction and Implementation Emphasis
Minister Paatil emphasized the need for holistic river rejuvenation encompassing water availability, ecological health, groundwater security, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, and community participation. He directed concerned agencies and state governments to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects and expedite action on pending DPRs, land-related issues, and implementation bottlenecks. The meeting reiterated the importance of sustained coordination among central ministries, state governments, urban local bodies, scientific institutions, and local communities to achieve Aviral & Nirmal Ganga objectives while advancing long-term water security and ecological resilience.