Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): On the lines of National Mission for Clean Ganga, Madhya Pradesh government aims to launch Clean Narmada Mission to conserve, rejuvenate and make the river pollution-free.

Sources said that the government is chalking out an action plan for Clean Narmada Mission focusing on cleaning the river and eliminating pollution using scientific methods. This is for the first time that comprehensive Narmada river-cleaning plan is being planned at such a large-scale.

An officer familiar with the matter said that under the plan, the focus will be to ensure that Narmada water shall be of ‘A’ category- ready for drinking without any treatment. Under the plan, contemplation is being done on how to keep Narmada river pollution-free. Attention would be paid to check direct release of drain water into Narmada. Besides, the plan also envisages discouraging use of pesticide in agriculture fields near the riverbanks.

The help of different departments including departments of Urban Administration, Panchayat will be taken in the Clean Narmada Mission plan. Wherever the water of Narmada river is below standard, efforts will be made to upgrade its quality to ‘A’ category ensuring that it is fit for drinking. According to a rough estimate, around 90 % of Narmada water is fit for ‘Achman’- i.e. direct consumption. The action plan is currently in its initial stage and it is expected to take shape in near future. Sources said that plan will focus on the entire stretch of the river in the state.    

Treating waste water

Moreover, it will also be ensured that waste water (including that of sewage) from rural areas is not discharged directly into the Narmada river. Efforts will be made to treat wastewater first before allowing it to enter the river. It has come to fore that Narmada is notably polluted downstream of Jabalpur and other specific locations. Water monitoring will be conducted at every checkpoint and data will be maintained in a scientific manner for easy access by third-party evaluators.  

Urban development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Shukla told Free Press that a Cabinet committee has been constituted to conserve and rejuvenate Narmada. “We are working on a comprehensive plan to make the Narmada river pollution-free,” he said.