New Delhi: As India’s urban population continues to grow, the challenge of managing increasing volumes of wastewater has emerged as a critical component of environmental protection and public health. Addressing this challenge, the Centre’s flagship Namami Gange Programme (NGP) has adopted a technology-neutral and location-specific approach to sewage treatment, combining conventional infrastructure with innovative and decentralised solutions to reduce pollution and rejuvenate the River Ganga.
Launched in 2014, the Namami Gange Programme is an integrated conservation mission focused on pollution abatement, river conservation and ecological restoration. Sewerage treatment infrastructure remains a central pillar of the programme alongside riverfront development, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, public awareness and industrial effluent monitoring.
According to official data, the programme has sanctioned 219 sewerage infrastructure projects worth ₹35,664 crore, of which 147 projects have been completed. Across 10 Ganga basin states, the initiative has supported the creation of 4,341 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage treatment capacity against a planned capacity of 6,603 MLD, significantly expanding wastewater treatment coverage in the region.
Recognising that wastewater treatment requirements vary across cities, towns and geographical regions, the programme has adopted a mix of technologies including the Activated Sludge Process (ASP), Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB), Fluidised Aerated Bed (FAB), Food Chain Reactor (FCR), NEREDA, Soil Biotechnology, Electrocoagulation and Constructed Wetlands.
One of the notable innovations under the programme is the Food Chain Reactor (FCR) technology, introduced in India through NGP. Designed to improve treatment efficiency while reducing energy consumption and land requirements, five FCR-based sewage treatment plants are currently operational at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and Bhatpara in West Bengal, while another facility is under development in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
The programme has also deployed Electrocoagulation Technology in Uttarakhand, particularly in hilly and cold-climate regions where conventional treatment systems are difficult to operate. Seventeen such installations have been established, including facilities at Badrinath and Chamoli, enabling wastewater treatment in geographically challenging areas.
To address space constraints and improve operational efficiency, the programme has piloted several innovative treatment methods. At Varanasi’s Assi Drain, an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP)-based system treats wastewater directly at the source, reducing the need for extensive sewer networks. The project follows an outcome-based payment model linked to treatment performance rather than upfront capital investment.
Another landmark project is the 7.5 MLD multi-storey sewage treatment plant at Muni Ki Reti in Uttarakhand, described as the country’s first four-storey STP for a municipality. Built on just 900 square metres, the plant demonstrates how vertical infrastructure can overcome severe land constraints while maintaining treatment efficiency.
In smaller towns where conventional sewerage systems may not be economically viable, Namami Gange has promoted decentralised and nature-based solutions. At Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, six constructed wetlands provide in-situ treatment for approximately 2 MLD of wastewater, reducing Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels from nearly 75 mg/l to below 10 mg/l.
The programme has also deployed Johkasou, a compact prefabricated sewage-treatment system originally developed in Japan. Six installations have been established in Uttarakhand, providing an alternative for areas with limited land and low wastewater volumes.
A major focus of the programme has been transforming sewage treatment plants into resource-efficient facilities. Technologies such as NEREDA, which uses aerobic granular sludge, have demonstrated substantial reductions in land use and energy consumption. The 60 MLD NEREDA-based STP at Pahadi, Patna, occupies nearly one-third of the space required by conventional treatment systems and offers significant power savings.
The programme has simultaneously promoted biogas-based energy recovery from sewage sludge. At the 140 MLD Dinapur STP in Varanasi, biogas generation contributes between 52 and 72 per cent of the plant’s electricity needs. Similar initiatives have been implemented at Prayagraj, Kanpur and other locations, while Meerut’s proposed 220 MLD STP is expected to incorporate Bio-CNG and solar-powered operations.
Solar energy integration has further strengthened sustainability efforts. The 1,000 kW solar power facility at the Naini STP in Prayagraj generates a substantial portion of the plant’s daily energy requirement, reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
Along with creating new treatment facilities, the programme has undertaken rehabilitation of ageing sewage treatment plants and trunk sewer networks. Major upgrades have been carried out at the Naini STP in Prayagraj and the Jajmau STP in Kanpur, while rehabilitation of old trunk sewer lines has been completed in cities such as Varanasi and Kanpur to improve wastewater conveyance and treatment efficiency.
The programme has also adopted the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) under a public-private partnership framework. Under this model, payments are linked to long-term performance and operation of assets over a period of 15 years. A total of 31 HAM-based projects covering 1,955 MLD capacity have been taken up, with several already operational.
Officials said the Namami Gange Programme has gradually evolved from a project focused solely on sewage treatment infrastructure to a broader wastewater management framework that emphasises technology adoption, decentralised solutions, energy efficiency, resource recovery and long-term operational sustainability.
By integrating conventional treatment plants, advanced biological processes, nature-based systems and performance-linked management models, the programme aims to ensure effective wastewater treatment while supporting the larger goal of restoring the ecological health of the Ganga river basin.
.