Parliament Question: Pollution in Noyyal River

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1949 ANSWERED ON 30.07.2026 POLLUTION IN NOYYAL RIVER

1949. Shri ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the concerns raised regarding the severe pollution of the Noyyal River in Tamil Nadu due to the continuous discharge of untreated industrial and domestic effluents over the past several decades and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the Central assistance sought and sanctioned for the rejuvenation of various rivers, State-wise;

(c) the data on the water quality status in the said State, district-wise; and

(d) the measures being undertaken jointly with the State Government of Tamil Nadu to enforce zero liquid discharge norms and strengthen effluent treatment infrastructure in various river basins? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (d) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in different States/Union Territories (UTs), monitors water quality of rivers and other water bodies through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). Pollution assessment of rivers has been carried out by CPCB from time to time . As per the latest report published in October, 2025, no 1polluted river stretch has been identified along River Noyyal in Tamil Nadu. Water quality data of all locations/polluted river stretches in Tamil Nadu is available at:

https://cpcb.gov.in/openpdffile.phpid=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvMTc3N18xNzYwNjgxNDA4 X21lZGlhcGhvdG80MzkyLnBkZg== Cleaning and rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing process. It is the responsibility of States/Union Territories (UTs), local bodies and industries to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents before discharging into rivers and other water bodies, land or coastal waters for prevention and control of pollution therein.

This Ministry of Jal Shakti provides financial and technical assistance to States/UTs through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange Programme for river Ganga and its tributaries and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for Other River Basins. Apart from this, sewerage infrastructure is created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

Proposals are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under the NRCP, and sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with guidelines, availability of Plan funds, etc. The details of the sanctions for the rejuvenation of various rivers, State wise is at Annexure.

The discharge of industrial effluents is monitored by the CPCB and the respective SPCBs / PCCs including state of Tamilnadu under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and punitive action is taken against violators. States/UTs/Local Bodies and industrial units are required to install sewage and effluent treatment plants and to comply with the prescribed discharge standards. In addition, industries are encouraged to minimize wastewater generation through technological upgradation, reuse and recycling of wastewater and to maintain Zero Liquid Discharge, wherever feasible.

*** 2ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1949 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 30.07.2026 REGARDING “POLLUTION IN NOYYAL RIVER”.

(a) State-wise details under National River Conservation Plan (excluding Ganga and its tributaries) (Rs. in crore) S. State Rivers covered Sanctioned No. Cost 1 Andhra Pradesh Godavari 110.21 2 Telangana Godavari & Musi 345.72 3 Jammu & Kashmir Devika, Tawi, Jhelum & Banganga 342.65 4 Jharkhand Subarnarekha 3.14 5 Gujarat Sabarmati, Mindola & Tapi 1,875.29 6 Goa Mandovi & Zuari 95.23 7 Karnataka Tunga, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Cauvery & Pennar 66.25 8 Maharashtra Godavari, Tapi, Krishna, Panchganga & Mula-Mutha & 3,109.85 Nag 9 Madhya Pradesh Wainganga, Narmada & Tapti 20.16 10 Manipur Nambul, Imphal-Manipur, Kogba 194.72 11 Odisha Brahmini, Mahanadi Coastal Area (Puri) 92.74 12 Punjab Ghaggar, Beas & Satluj 774.43 13 Rajasthan Jojari 172.60 14 Tamil Nadu Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai, Vennar, Cauvery & 908.13 Tamrabarani 15 Kerala Pamba, Chitrapuzha & Periyar 115.76 16 Sikkim Rani Chu, Tista, Rangit 608.12 17 Nagaland Diphu and Dhansiri, Chethe, Zungki, Garu , Melak, 140.12 Tapi, Punyaonganmong, Keleureu, Sedzu and Tizu, Donyung Shumang, Mutsum, Marachu & Tizu Total 8,975.12

(b) State-wise details under Namami Gange Programme (River Ganga and its tributaries) (Rs. in crore) S. No. State Rivers covered Sanctioned Cost 1 Uttarakhand Ganga and its tributaries 1,743.37 2 Uttar Pradesh 16,376.27 3 Bihar 7,838.96 4 Jharkhand 1,310.30 5 West Bengal 5,028.69 6 Haryana 217.87 7 Delhi 2,505.74 8 Himachal Pradesh 11.57 9 Rajasthan 258.48 10 Madhya Pradesh 678.7 Total 35,969.95 ***** 3