U.P. pushes to strengthen sewerage system, prevent river pollution with multi-pronged approach

Pushing to treat wastewater flowing into rivers through drains, completely preventing river pollution, the Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday (May 24, 2026) informed that 152 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being operational in Uttar Pradesh, with the State rapidly progressing toward national Ganga cleanliness targets.

“Uttar Pradesh has taken a major step toward ensuring the cleanliness of major rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, extensive work is underway to treat wastewater and prevent river pollution. said Anurag Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Namami Ganga and Rural Drinking Water Supply Department, Uttar Pradesh.

“Untreated sewage from U.P. cities will no longer flow directly into rivers. Under the Namami Gange Mission Phase-2, sewerage infrastructure is being significantly strengthened. In FY 2025-26, four major sewage infrastructure projects have commenced operations. These include two large STPs in Agra [31 MLD and 35 MLD], costing ₹842 crore and benefiting approximately 25 lakh people. In Varanasi’s Assi-BHU area, a 55 MLD STP has begun operations at a cost of ₹308 crore, serving over 18 lakh people with improved sanitation and waste management. In Shuklaganj [Unnao], a 5 MLD STP costing ₹65 crore has been launched, benefiting over 3 lakh people and effectively reducing Ganga pollution.” Mr. Srivastava added.

Joginder Singh, Special Secretary, Namami Ganga and Rural Water Supply Department, stated that 74 sewage treatment projects have been approved across the State, with 41 completed and work progressing rapidly on the remaining projects. He added a comprehensive action plan for Varanasi Prayagraj’s Kanpur and Lucknow in the pipeline for sanction.

“These projects enable scientific treatment of urban wastewater. Currently, 152 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are operational in Uttar Pradesh, treating large volumes of sewage to make it environment-friendly before discharge into rivers. These plants safeguard both Ganga-Yamuna cleanliness and public health,” said Mr. Singh.

Mr. Singh, a 2015-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who is also the Project Director for State Mission for Clean Ganga, said that these projects primarily aim to treat wastewater flowing into rivers through drains, completely preventing river pollution and ensuring river purity. “Unprecedented work is being done for river conservation and rejuvenation under CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. The safe use of treated water policy was also passed by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. Through sewage treatment projects, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly progressing toward national Ganga cleanliness targets.”

“Sewage treatment projects are operational in Prayagraj (Naini, Phaphamau, Jhunsi), Kannauj, Narora, Garhmukteshwar, Anupshahr, Kanpur, Bithoor, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Chhata (Mathura), Kosi Kalan (Mathura), Varanasi, Chunar, Firozabad, Moradabad, Kasganj, Etawah, Shuklaganj-Unnao, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Budhana, Lucknow, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Bareilly, Kairana, Farrukhabad, Meerut, Deoband (Saharanpur), Saharanpur, Shamli, Hapur, Gorakhpur, Agra, Gulawati (Bulandshahr), Pandit Deen Dayal Nagar (Mughalsarai-Chandauli), Bhadohi, Ramnagar, Hathras, Aligarh, Dalmau (Raebareli), Manikpur (Pratapgarh). Work is going on four STPs in Shamli, one in Shahranpur, and one in Meerut on full swing. This will treat water on the Yamuna, and its tributary,” Mr. Singh further added.