In a significant push to clean the Ganga and its tributaries, Uttar Pradesh has operationalized four major sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the current financial year under the second phase of the flagship Namami Gange Mission. This marks a crucial step in the state's efforts to curb pollution entering the sacred river.
Key Projects and Their Impact
The newly activated facilities include two substantial plants in the city of Agra. The first has a treatment capacity of 31 million litres per day (MLD), while the second, larger plant can handle 35 MLD. Together, these Agra projects represent an investment of Rs 842 crore and are designed to benefit approximately 25 lakh residents by preventing untreated sewage from flowing into the Yamuna.
In the spiritual hub of Varanasi, a major 55 MLD STP has commenced operations. Constructed at a cost of Rs 308 crore, this plant is set to serve a population of around 18 lakh people. Additionally, a 5 MLD facility has been launched in Shuklaganj, Unnao. Built with an outlay of Rs 65 crore, it will cater to the needs of over 3 lakh individuals in the area.
Broader Mission Progress and Statewide Network
Joginder Singh, the Project Director of the State Clean Ganga Mission, provided an overview of the expansive project pipeline. He stated that a total of 74 STP projects have been sanctioned across Uttar Pradesh under the mission. Out of these, construction work on 41 projects has already been finished, and work is advancing swiftly on the remaining units.
With the addition of these four new plants, the total number of operational sewage treatment plants in the state now stands at 152. This growing infrastructure is central to the Namami Gange programme's objective of ensuring that no untreated municipal sewage or industrial effluent enters the Ganga river system.
A Sustained Drive for a Cleaner Ganga
The commencement of these plants in Agra, Varanasi, and Unnao during the 2025-26 financial year underscores the continued momentum of the central government's ambitious clean-up initiative. The Namami Gange Mission's second phase focuses on comprehensive sewage management, riverfront development, and biodiversity conservation.
The substantial investments and clearly defined beneficiary numbers highlight the project's scale and its direct impact on public health and environmental sustainability. The rapid progress on the approved projects indicates a concerted effort by authorities to meet the long-standing goal of restoring the purity of the Ganga, a river of immense cultural and ecological significance to India.
