Sewage Infrastructure Deficiency Causing River Pollution

Satendra Singh

By the Editor-in-Chief

The central government has acknowledged that while there has been some improvement in river pollution levels, the expected results have not been fully achieved due to the incomplete utilization of sewage infrastructure. The Ministry of Jal Shakti recently informed the Rajya Sabha that untreated sewage continues to enter rivers primarily due to the lack of proper sewage connections and the incomplete execution of key projects.

Responding to queries related to river pollution, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Rajendra Singh Chaudhary, emphasized that a major issue is the negligence of departments responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of sewage systems. He stated that the careless approach of these authorities has contributed significantly to pollution levels. However, he reassured that pollution control is an ongoing process, mainly under the jurisdiction of state governments, union territories, and local municipal bodies. These entities are responsible for maintaining and cleaning the rivers and ensuring that sewage systems function effectively.

A report from the Central Pollution Control Board highlights that there has been a decline in pollution levels in affected river stretches. In 2018, the number of severely polluted sections in rivers was 351, which has now been reduced to 311. Among these, 106 sections have shown substantial improvement and have been removed from the pollution list, while 74 sections have exhibited partial recovery. These figures indicate progress, but significant work remains to be done.

The ministry reiterated that restoring and rejuvenating rivers requires continuous effort and strict enforcement of environmental regulations. The primary responsibility for keeping rivers clean lies with the state governments and local bodies, which must ensure that untreated household sewage and industrial waste do not enter water bodies. Chaudhary also mentioned that 73 industries violating pollution norms have been ordered to shut down, while action has been taken against several others for failing to comply with environmental standards.
The government remains committed to tackling river pollution, but experts believe that a more stringent approach, better coordination among departments, and faster implementation of sewage infrastructure projects are crucial for long-term success in restoring India’s rivers to a cleaner state.