The Agra district administration on Tuesday directed officials to expedite the tapping of major drains and ensure timely completion of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Yamuna River. This initiative is part of the central government's Namami Gange programme, launched in 2014 to clean the Ganges and its tributaries.
District Magistrate Reviews Progress
District Magistrate Manish Bansal chaired a review meeting where he instructed departments to take time-bound action to intercept drains and divert sewage to treatment plants. He emphasized that all under-construction STPs should be completed within the fixed timeline. Bansal also directed officials to identify and resolve issues such as land disputes that are delaying projects.
Current Infrastructure and Targets
Officials reported that the city currently has approximately 1.9 lakh sewer connections and 12 functional STPs. Work is underway to tap 38 drains to prevent untreated sewage from reaching the Yamuna. The administration aims to accelerate these efforts to meet the goals of the Namami Gange programme.
Drinking Water Supply Projects Reviewed
The meeting also reviewed drinking water supply projects. Officials stated that the city has over 2 lakh household water connections and a 1,848-kilometer distribution network. Reviewing the Agra Water Supply Reorganisation Scheme, Bansal expressed concern over slow progress. The project, which began on August 1, 2025, and is scheduled for completion by August 31, 2027, has achieved only 22.5% progress so far.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks
Bansal noted that work on 11 proposed overhead tanks is only 15% complete, while four clear water reservoirs have seen merely 5% progress. He urged officials to expedite these works to ensure adequate water supply for residents.
The district administration's push comes as part of broader efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna, which has been severely polluted by industrial and domestic waste. The Namami Gange programme aims to restore the river's health through a combination of sewage treatment, riverfront development, and public awareness campaigns.
