The Centre today said that 3,519 grossly polluting industries have been identified by different state pollution control boards and pollution control committees in the country. Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav informed that after the action against norms-violating entities, 669 grossly polluting industries closed their own. He informed us that out of this, 2850 are still functional. Mr. Yadav said 104 polluting industries have been identified as noncompliant with environmental standards.

He further added that those who are not complying with the environmental standards have received show cause notices, and 73 were served closure directions. The Union minister said that for monitoring the water quality of rivers, a separate mechanism has been developed by CPCB and SPCB.

He said at 4736 aquatic locations, water quality is being monitored. The minister informed that the water quality of 645 rivers of the country is being monitored under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).

Mr. Yadav also added that during the period of 2023-24, the ministry has sanctioned the amount of more than 20 crore rupees to different states for water quality monitoring under the Central Sector Scheme Control of Pollution Environment Monitoring Programme.

The Union Minister said under the Namami Gange Programme for the rejuvenation of River Ganga and its tributaries, a total of 203 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned at a cost of more than 32,513 crore rupees for the treatment of polluted water and sewerage water. The environment minister said that the amount has been provisioned for the creation and rehabilitation of sewerage water of 6255 million litres per day.