New Delhi, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Union Water Power Minister C.R. Patil recently highlighted the importance of incorporating water-related subjects into educational curricula, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. This initiative aims to introduce water management and governance courses in higher education institutions while integrating water topics into school syllabi.
During the 20th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF), Patil stressed that such academic initiatives could create a robust knowledge base. They would also help develop professionals capable of addressing the ecological, social, cultural, economic, and policy aspects of river management.
He suggested promoting these courses at city and state levels for students and professionals focused on river-related projects. Patil reiterated the central government‘s commitment to river rejuvenation and reviewed the progress of the Namami Gange program.
The minister discussed key measures to accelerate river restoration, including improved sewage infrastructure, scientific water management, safe reuse of treated wastewater, ecological restoration, groundwater management, nature-based solutions, and enhanced coordination among stakeholders.
An official statement indicated that the meeting reviewed the status of sewage infrastructure, detailed project reports (DPRs), land availability, safe reuse of treated wastewater (SRWT), aquifer mapping, wetlands, city sanitation action plans (CSAP), and the regular meetings of state Ganga committees.
It was reported that the revised DPR for the Baruni sewage treatment plant (STP) has been submitted to IIT-BHU for evaluation, while the executive committee approved the DPR for the Shantipur STP in West Bengal.
Bihar and West Bengal have notified their policies on the reuse of treated wastewater, and Jharkhand is in the process of obtaining cabinet approval.
The meeting also assessed the overall status of projects under the Namami Gange program and its performance during the fiscal year 2025-26. By August 2026, a total of 527 projects worth ₹43,266 crores had been approved, with 368 completed.
Under the sewage infrastructure initiative, 219 projects have been approved, creating a treatment capacity of 6,603 MLD and a sewer network spanning 5,245 kilometers. Of these, 147 projects are completed, resulting in a sewage treatment capacity of 4,339 MLD and a sewer network of 4,615 kilometers.
Attending the meeting were Minister of State for Water Power Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Secretary of the Water Resources Department Archana Verma, Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Ashok K.K. Meena, and Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Rajeev Kumar Mittal.
Leave a Comment