Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Paatil Promotes Water Education as Ganga Rejuvenation Projects Advance
C.R. Paatil said students should learn more about water and how to manage it.
Schools could include water topics in lessons, while colleges could offer courses on water management and governance.
He said these studies could help train people to work on rivers.
At a meeting, officials reviewed work under the Namami Gange Programme.
They discussed sewage systems, treated wastewater, groundwater and wetland restoration.
By August 2026, 368 of the programme’s 527 approved projects were complete.
The projects include new sewage treatment capacity and sewer networks.
Bihar and West Bengal have policies for reusing treated wastewater, while Jharkhand is still seeking approval.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil backed integrating water-related content into school curricula and offering water management courses in higher education.
Paatil chaired the 20th meeting of the Empowered Task Force, which reviewed Namami Gange projects and river-rejuvenation measures.
As of August 2026, 527 Namami Gange projects had been sanctioned for Rs 43,266 crore, and 368 were complete.
The programme’s sewerage portfolio includes 219 sanctioned projects, with 147 completed and 4,339 MLD of treatment capacity created.
Bihar and West Bengal have notified treated-wastewater reuse policies; Jharkhand is seeking State Cabinet approval.
- Who
- Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil and officials participating in the 20th Empowered Task Force meeting.
- What
- The meeting promoted water-related education and reviewed river-rejuvenation work under the Namami Gange Programme.
- When
- Thursday; programme figures were reported as of August 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- To build knowledge and professional expertise in water and river management, and to advance river rejuvenation.
- Meeting
- 20th meeting of the Empowered Task Force
- Programme
- Namami Gange
- Sanctioned projects
- 527, costing Rs 43,266 crore, as of August 2026
- Completed projects
- 368
- Sewerage projects
- 219 sanctioned; 147 completed
- Completed sewerage capacity
- 4,339 MLD of sewage treatment capacity and 4,615 km of sewer network
- Wastewater reuse policies
- Notified in Bihar and West Bengal; Jharkhand is seeking State Cabinet approval