NEW DELHI — India has recorded a marginal reduction in the number of polluted river stretches, according to the latest report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The report indicates that the number of contaminated stretches decreased from 311 to 296, covering 271 rivers across 32 states and Union Territories, though several segments remain critically contaminated.
Critical Hotspots and Pollution Metrics
The CPCB defines a polluted river stretch as having Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels exceeding 3 \text{ mg/L}, making the water unfit for bathing. Despite the overall marginal improvement, state-specific challenges persist:
• Most Affected State: Maharashtra continues to top the list with 54 polluted stretches. Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh, Manipur (18 each), and Karnataka (14) also reported significant contamination.
• Priority I Stretches: The most severely polluted segments, classified as Priority I (BOD > 30 \text{ mg/L}), decreased from 46 to 37. These critically polluted stretches include parts of the Yamuna in Delhi and the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.
• Worsening Conditions: The report noted that certain rivers have recorded a deterioration in water quality, including the Jhelum (J&K), the Ganga and Sikrahna (Bihar), the Cauvery and Tungabhadra (Karnataka), and the Krishna (Telangana).
Untreated Sewage and Systemic Challenges
The persistence of river pollution is primarily attributed to unchecked human activity. Cities generate over 72,000 \text{ MLD} of sewage, of which only about 30% is treated. This, combined with industrial effluents from textile and chemical hubs and agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides, continues to degrade river ecosystems.
Despite a 2018 directive by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandating states to prepare rejuvenation action plans, efforts are hampered by systemic challenges.
Many Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under-capacity or non-functional. Overlapping jurisdictions between various central, state, and local authorities hinder accountability. State-level action plans often lack sufficient financial backing and robust monitoring mechanisms.
The CPCB report emphasizes that while the marginal reduction offers cautious optimism, sustainable outcomes will require significant scaling up of sewage treatment, rigorous industrial compliance, and effective catchment management.