NMCG to use GIS technology to facilitate the Ganga rejuvenation task

New Delhi: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking special interest and keeping a tab on clean Ganga programme, National Mission for Clean Ganga has brought on board Survey of India to facilitate the Ganga rejuvenation task by using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. This is the oldest scientific department in the country.

Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation sources informed that the project has been approved in the EC meeting at an estimated cost of Rs 86.84 crore. Actually, NMCG aims to strengthen planning and implementation at every level. The project includes use of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) technology which ensures accurate data collection, an important aspect for river basin management planning. DEM technology enables identification of entire topography of an area making it easy for policy makers to analyse the available data thereby supporting the decision-making process.

Critical hotspots are also easily identified through this technology. The use of GIS technology for Namami Gange programme will also ensure decentralisation. The data collected and subsequent actions taken by the government can easily be shared with the local public through geo portals and mobile apps. The technology will also enable people to send their feedback up to the highest level thereby providing an interactive and transparent platform.

The ministry sources said that for effective discharge management, the outlet of sewerage and other discharges from all units -- industrial, commercial and all types of institutions -- will be mapped from the source outlet to the public drainage network. In addition, the high-resolution GIS-enabled data will help in regulating the proposed protected and regulatory zones along the banks of the river.

National Mission for Clean Ganga has approved a project to strengthen State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) of five Ganga basin states that is Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal so that they can frequently verify the quality of water in Ganga River and in case of any discrepancy appropriate action could be taken.

The identified laboratories for this purpose are to be equipped in terms of advanced instruments and equipments with well-trained scientific personnel to carry out the pollution assessment and water quality monitoring activities in respect of existing and emerging pollutants. The strengthening of SPCBs will overcome the constraints of resources. This project has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 85.97 for five years.