Under the Namami Gange Mission Phase-2, four major sewage treatment plants (STPs) began operations in Uttar Pradesh this financial year.

These include two STPs in Agra with capacities of 31 and 35 million litres per day (MLD), a 55 MLD STP in Varanasi, and a 5 MLD STP in Unnao’s Shuklaganj. The Agra plants, costing Rs 842 crore, are expected to benefit around 25 lakh people, while the Varanasi plant, built at Rs 308 crore, will serve 18 lakh people. The Unnao STP, worth Rs 65 crore, will benefit over three lakh people.

Joginder Singh, Project Director of the State Clean Ganga Mission, mentioned that 74 STPs have been approved across the state, with 41 already completed. Currently, 152 STPs are operational in Uttar Pradesh, contributing significantly to the state’s efforts to clean the Ganges. These projects are part of the broader initiative to improve sanitation and protect water resources in the region.