GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3599
ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023
DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO RIVERS
3599. SHRI KARTIKEYA SHARMA
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the steps being taken by Government during the last three years to prevent the discharge of industrial
wastewater directly into rivers;
(b) whether it is a fact that dirty water is discharged into rivers by industries without proper water
treatment;
(c) if not, the number of such industries which have been identified for discharging water into rivers
without treatment during the last three years and the action taken against these industries; and
(d) whether any such study has been conducted by Government, which shows that the water quality of
rivers in the country has deteriorated in last three years?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)
(a) to (c) As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention &
Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units and local bodies are required to install Effluent
Treatment Plants (ETPs)/ Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants
(STPs) respectively and treat their effluents/sewage to comply with stipulated environmental standards
before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with
respect to effluent discharge standards and take punitive action for non-compliance under the provisions
of these Acts.
Steps taken by the Government to stop discharge of industrial effluents into rivers, inter-alia include
issuance of notification of specific discharge standards, revision of the criteria for categorization of
industries and issuing directions to all SPCBs/PCCs to adopt the same, issuance of consent to
establish/consent to operate by the SPCBs/PCCs, regular and surprise inspections of Grossly Polluting
Industries (GPIs) for compliance verification against stipulated environmental norms, installation of
Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) for assessment of effluent quality and
compliance status. In addition, the industries are encouraged to reduce their waste water generation by
technological advancement, reuse/recycle of wastewater and maintain Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
where ever possible.
Rivers in the country are polluted mainly due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage
from cities/ towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments. Non-point sources of pollution
like agricultural runoff, open defecation, runoff from solid waste dump sites, etc. also contribute to
pollution of rivers. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have compounded the problems.
CPCB has identified 2859 grossly polluting industries (GPI) in the country. Out of these, 2197
industries are operational and 662 industries have closed down on their own. Out of 2197 operational
industries, 2059 industries are complying with the prescribed environmental standards, whereas 138 are
non-complying. Accordingly, show-cause notices have been issued to 53 non-complying industries,
closure directions have been issued to 66 industries and legal cases have been filed against 3 industries.
State –wise status of GPI unites in the country is attached as Annexure-I.
In compliance with the orders of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application
No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to
implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as
identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. As per the
orders of NGT, regular review on implementation of these action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs
and the same is also done at the Central level by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India.

(d) CPCB in collaboration with the SPCBs/PCCs is regularly monitoring water quality of rivers and
other water bodies in country through a network of monitoring stations. As per CPCB report of
November, 2022, 311 polluted river stretches have been identified on 279 rivers based on monitoring
results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, an indicator of organic pollution. The
number of polluted river stretches has decreased to 311 in the ibid report from 351 identified by CPCB
report published in September, 2018. State-wise details of polluted river stretches are at Annexure-II
***
 ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3599 TO BE ANSWERED
ON THE 03.04.2023 REGARDING “DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO RIVERS”.
Status of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs)
Sl. SPCB/PCC Total no. No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of industries against which action is taken for non-
No. of industries industries industries industries non- complying with environmental standards
industrie closed by operational complying complying with
s their own with environmental Show cause Closure Legal cases Action under
environmental standards notice issued directions issued filed process
standards
1 Andaman & 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nicobar
2 Andhra Pradesh 56 7 49 48 1 0 0 1 0
3 Arunachal 97 8 89 63 26 3 23 0 0
Pradesh
4 Assam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Bihar 84 34 50 50 0 0 0 0 0
6 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Chhattisgarh 2 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
8 Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Delhi 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
10 Goa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Gujarat 25 1 24 20 4 3 0 0 1
12 Haryana 661 40 621 602 19 1 18 0 0
13 Himachal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pradesh
14 Jammu and 69 0 69 66 3 3 0 0 0
Kashmir
15 Jharkhand 45 6 39 5 34 14 10 2 8
16 Karnataka 6 1 5 5 0 0 0 0 0
17 Kerala 29 1 28 27 1 0 1 0 0
18 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 Madhya Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 Maharashtra 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
21 Manipur 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 Meghalaya 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
23 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25 Odisha 6 0 6 6 0 0 0 0 0
26 Puducherry 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
27 Punjab 4 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0
28 Rajasthan 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
29 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 Tamil Nadu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 Telangana 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
32 Tripura 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33 Uttar Pradesh 1648 560 1088 1047 41 22 13 0 6
34 Uttarakhand 64 0 64 60 4 4 0 0 0
35 West Bengal 48 3 45 41 4 3 0 0 1
Total 2859 662 2197 2059 138 53 66 3 16
 ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 3599 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03.04.2023 REGARDING “DISCHARGE OF
INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO RIVERS”.

States/ UTs Wise Polluted River Stretches

S. No. Name of State /Union Name of Polluted River Stretches Number

Territory
1 Andhra Pradesh Vasishta, Gostani & Upputeru 3
2 Assam Bharalu, Bega, Burhidihing, Dhansiri, Digboi, Kharsang, 10
Kulsi, Mora Bharali, Pagldia & Tocklai
3 Bihar Sirsiya (Ganga) Bihar, Lakhandei, Ramrekha, Burhi 18
Gandak/ Sikrahna, Daha, Ganga, Gangi, Harbora, Kohra
(Ganga), Punpun, Bagmati, Dhous, Gandak, Ghaghara,
Kamala(Bihar) Ganga, Manusmar, Parmar &Sone
4 Chhattisgarh Kharoon, Arpa, Seonath, Hasdeo, Kelo & Mahanadi 6
5 Daman and Diu, Dadra Damanganga 1
and Nagar Haveli
6 Delhi Yamuna 1
7 Goa Zuari, Kalna, Khandepar, Mandovi, Mapusa & Sal 6
8 Gujarat Amlakhadi, Bhadar, Dhadar, Khari, Sabarmati, 13
Vishwamitri, Mindhola, Mahi, Shedhi, Bhogavo,
Bhukhi Khadi, Damanganga & Tapi
9 Haryana Ghaggar, Yamuna & Markanda 3
10 Himachal Pradesh Ashwini Khad, Bald, Sirsa, Sukhana, Ratta, Giri, 9
Markanda, Pabbar & Shikari Khad
11 Jammu & Kashmir Chuntkol, Tawi, Banganga (J&K), Devak Jhelum, 8
Lidder, Basanter & Gawkadal
12 Jharkhand Harmu, Kharkhai, Subarnarekha, Bokaro, Damodar, 9
Garga, Jumar, Katri, Koina,
13 Karnataka Arkavathi, Dakshinak Pinakini, Thenpennai, Bhadra, 17
Shimsha, Tungabhadra, Aghanashini, Bhima, Cauvery,
Gangavali, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Lakshmantirtha,
Netravathi, Sharavathi & Tunga
14 Kerala Karmana, Neyyar, Vamanapuram, Ayroor, Chalakudy, 18
Chitthrapuzha, Kadalundy, Kadambayar, Kallai,
Kalpathi Puzha, Korayar, Mamom, Manimala, Pamba,
Periyar
, Pullur, Thirur & Uppala
15 Madhya Pradesh Chambal, Khan, Kshipra, Betwa, Hiran, Johila, 19
Kanhan, Sone, Bichia, Chamla, Kaliasot, Kunda,
Mahi, Malei, Mandakini (Mp), Newaj, Parvati(Ganga),
Tapi & Wardha
16 Maharashtra Bhima, Mithi, Mutha, Savitri, Godavari, Kanhan, Mula, 55
Mula-Mutha, Pawana, Chandrabhaga, Darna, Ghod,
Girna, Indrayani, Krishna, Kundalika, Morna,
Muchkundi, Nira (Krishna), Patalganga, Rangavali,
Surya, Tapi, Titur, Waghur, Wainganga, Wardha,
 Bhatsa, Burai, Kalu, Kan, Koyna, Manjeera, Mor,
Panzara, Pedhi, Pehlar, Penganga, Purna, Sina, Urmodi,
Vel, Venna (Maharashtra), Krishna, Wena, Amba,
Amravati (Tapi), Bindusara, Bori, Gomai, Hiwara,
Kolar (Mah), Tansa, Ulhas, Vaitarna & Vashisti
17 Manipur Imphal, Nambul, Barak, Chakpi, Iril, Khuga, Khujairok, 13
Lokchao, Maha, Manipur, Sekmai, Thoubal & Wangjing
18 Meghalaya Umkhrah, Umshyrpi, Myntdu, Kyrhukhla, Lukha, 7
Nonbah & Umtrew
19 Mizoram Lawbual, Tuikual & Chithe 3
20 Nagaland Dhansiri, Dzu, Dzuna & Sano 4
21 Odisha Gangua, Daya, Kuakhai, Mangala, Brahmani, Kathajodi 7
& Serua
22 Puducherry Gautami-Godavari, Coringa & Chunnambar 3
23 Punjab Ghaggar, Sirsa, Sutlej, Kali Bein & Swan 5
24 Rajasthan Banas, Bandi, Jawai, Guwardi, Kanota, Khari, Kothari, 14
Berech, Bhanwar Semila, Chambal, Gambhiri, Luni,
Mahi & Piplaad
25 Tamil Nadu Adyar, Cooum, Thirumanimuthar, Vasishta, Sarabanga, 10
Cauvery, Tambiraparani, Amravati (Cauvery), Bhavani
& Palar
26 Telangana Musi, Godavari, Manair, Nakkavagu, Karakavagu, 9
Kinnersani, Krishna, Manjeera & Munneru
27 Tripura Haora 1
28 Uttar Pradesh Bahela, Hindon, Kali (W), Kalinadi (E), Varuna, 17
Yamuna, Gomti, Betwa, Ramganga, Banganga (Ganga),
Ganga, Ghaghara, Pilkhar, Rapti, Rihand, Sai & Sone
29 Uttarakhand Bahela, Dhella, Kalyani, Suswa, Kichha (Kitcha), Koshi 9
(Uk), Nandour, Pilkhar & Banganga (Ganga)
30 West Bengal Mahananda, Churni, Vindyadhari, Matha Bhanga, 13
Ganga, Jalangi, Kansi, Barakar, Damodar,
Dwarakeshwar, Dwarka, Rupnarayan & Teesta
Grand Total: 311

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