The Government has reaffirmed that cleaning and rejuvenating rivers is an ongoing effort led by States, Union Territories and local bodies, which are responsible for ensuring that sewage and industrial effluents meet prescribed standards before discharge. To bridge gaps in sewage treatment, the Ministry of Jal Shakti provides financial and technical assistance through Namami Gange for the Ganga basin and the National River Conservation Plan for other rivers. Sewerage infrastructure is also developed under AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission.

Industrial effluents are monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Industries are required to set up effluent-treatment systems, reduce wastewater generation and adopt reuse and recycling practices, including Zero Liquid Discharge wherever feasible. Of the 4,493 Grossly Polluting Industries identified, 3,633 are operational, with 3,031 complying with environmental norms. Show-cause notices have been issued to 572 units, closure directions to 29, and one unit has received a specific directive.

The Ministry has also issued Technical Guidelines on Flood Plain Zoning to support States in regulating development in flood-prone zones. The National Mission for Clean Ganga has prepared Urban River Management Plans with the National Institute of Urban Affairs to integrate river-sensitive planning into city master plans.

The CPCB’s latest report on Polluted River Stretches shows improvement nationwide, with the number of stretches reducing from 351 in 2018 to 296 in 2025. A total of 149 stretches across 22 States and Union Territories have been delisted, while 71 stretches in 20 States and UTs have shown improved water quality. Improvements have been observed in regions including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

To promote treated wastewater reuse, the National Mission for Clean Ganga has developed a national framework to guide State policies. Notable examples of reuse projects come from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Tamil Nadu. CPCB continues water-quality monitoring through its National Water Quality Monitoring Programme and has directed all Grossly Polluting Industries to install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems with real-time connectivity. Manual monitoring is conducted in the Sidhi Lok Sabha constituency. Basin-wide coordination is ensured through regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements.

Water conservation is prioritised under major government schemes, including MGNREGS, AMRUT, PMKSY, CAMPA, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain and Atal Bhujal Yojana, implemented through inter-sectoral convergence. MGNREGS mandates that at least 65 per cent of funds in over-exploited rural blocks be spent on water conservation and harvesting works.

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board reports that no Grossly Polluting Industries in Siddharthnagar district discharge into the Ganga, Yamuna or their tributaries. State-wise fund allocations under NRCP and Namami Gange, along with artificial recharge structures developed under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0, are detailed in annexures.

The Government continues to expand sewage-treatment capacity by constructing new plants under Namami Gange, NRCP, AMRUT 2.0 and Smart Cities Mission. Modernisation of ageing STPs, strengthening of sewer networks and adoption of advanced treatment technologies are also being prioritised. Measures for stormwater management include enhanced urban drainage, lake and wetland rejuvenation and implementation of guidelines by CPHEEO and NDMA.

Inputs from Madhya Pradesh indicate ongoing efforts to enhance urban water quality. Chhindwara has installed 28 MLD of STP capacity, while major lakes and reservoirs in Bhopal are monitored regularly and categorised as fit for outdoor bathing. In Sehore district, two STPs have been installed in Budhni to intercept sewage before it reaches the Narmada.