{"id":87178,"date":"2026-10-22T17:54:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T12:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=87178"},"modified":"2026-10-22T17:55:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T12:25:24","slug":"namami-gange-technology-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-10-2026\/namami-gange-technology-innovation","title":{"rendered":"Technology and Innovation under Namami Gange"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Sustainable Development\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Different technological approaches<\/strong> under the <strong>Namami Gange\u2019s approach <\/strong>\u00a0to wastewater treatment combines infrastructure, diverse technologies, decentralised solutions, rehabilitation and long-term operation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Namami Gange Programme (NGP)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) was launched in<strong> 2014.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is an <strong>Integrated Conservation Mission <\/strong>with the<strong> twin objectives<\/strong> of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are<\/strong> Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure, River-Front Development, River-Surface Cleaning, Biodiversity, Afforestation, Public Awareness, Industrial Effluent Monitoring and Ganga Gram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Progress Made So Far<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c8d5dc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"626\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-137.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87179\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c8d5dc; aspect-ratio:1.1744891677171587;width:419px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-137.png 626w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-137-300x255.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need for Technological Approaches<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Large cities: <\/strong>Centralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) treat wastewater collected through underground sewer networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Small towns and villages: <\/strong>Decentralised treatment systems are useful where complete sewer networks are unavailable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hilly areas: <\/strong>Compact technologies are needed because of difficult terrain, cold temperatures and limited accessibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Land-constrained areas:<\/strong> Multi-storey STPs and compact treatment technologies reduce land requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustainability: <\/strong>Energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy and sludge management help reduce operating costs and environmental impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important Sewage Treatment Technologies:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Food Chain Reactor (FCR) technology: <\/strong>It improves upon the Activated Sludge Process and Sequential Batch Reactor by incorporating fixed artificial media and plant roots.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Activated Sludge Process: <\/strong>Activated sludge refers to a mass of microorganisms cultivated in the treatment process to break down organic matter into carbon dioxide, water, and other inorganic compounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sequential Batch Reactor<\/strong> is a cyclic activated sludge treatment process which provides the highest treatment efficiency possible in a single-step biological process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electrocoagulation and electro-oxidation<\/strong>: It is a non-biological treatment process that uses electric current and a coagulant metal anode to destabilise suspended and emulsified pollutants.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These systems are suited to cold temperatures, hilly terrain and locations with limited access.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Such systems have been implemented in Uttarakhand at locations like Badrinath and Chamoli.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constructed wetlands (CWs)<\/strong> are engineered systems that use natural processes to remove pollutants under controlled conditions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A CW system comprises water, plants, growing media (substrate), soil and microorganisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NEREDA is another biological wastewater treatment technology: <\/strong>It uses the same bacteria as conventional activated sludge but forms compact aerobic granules with good settling properties.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil Biotechnology<\/strong>: It combines physical processes such as sedimentation and infiltration with biochemical processes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The system uses a suitable mineral constitution, native microflora, and bio-indicator plants as key components.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resource Recovery Under the Program:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Biogas generation:<\/strong> Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic matter without oxygen, producing biogas that can generate electricity. At the 140 MLD Dinapur STP in Varanasi, biogas-based generation reportedly meets around<strong> 52\u201372% of actual monthly power consumption.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solar energy:<\/strong> Solar installations help reduce the dependence of STPs on conventional electricity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sludge incineration: <\/strong>Thermal treatment can reduce sludge volume, with the resulting stabilised ash potentially used in products such as<strong> bricks or concrete, subject to suitability and applicable standards.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treated-water reuse: <\/strong>Properly treated wastewater can be reused for suitable purposes, reducing pressure on freshwater resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the technology-neutral approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location-specific solutions: <\/strong>Different technologies can be selected according to local geography, population and infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reduced costs: <\/strong>Compact and decentralised systems can avoid expensive sewer networks and reduce land requirements in suitable locations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved river health:<\/strong> Effective sewage treatment reduces organic pollution and helps improve dissolved oxygen levels in receiving waters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy efficiency:<\/strong> Biogas, solar power and energy-efficient treatment processes reduce operational energy requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Circular economy: <\/strong>Wastewater and sludge can become resources through reuse, energy recovery and appropriate material recovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Namami Gange Programme demonstrates that <strong>river rejuvenation requires more than constructing sewage treatment plants.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A combination of conventional technologies, decentralised systems, nature-based solutions, energy recovery is essential to reduce pollution and ensure sustainable wastewater management across the Ganga basin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?id=160520&amp;NoteId=160520&amp;ModuleId=2&amp;reg=48&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Different technological approaches under the Namami Gange\u2019s approach \u00a0to wastewater treatment combines infrastructure, diverse technologies, decentralised solutions, rehabilitation and long-term operation. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Namami Gange Programme (NGP) <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) was launched in 2014.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is an Integrated Conservation Mission with the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-10-2026\/namami-gange-technology-innovation \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87178"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87181,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87178\/revisions\/87181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}