River Ganga Pollution Abatement Project, India
River Ganga Pollution Abatement Project

Sectors

Infrastructure

Sub Sectors

Water

Services

Design & Engineering, Project Management and Safety

Location

India

The River Ganga is one of India’s most important natural systems, supporting millions of people and holding immense ecological and cultural significance. Rapid urbanisation along its banks and inadequate sewerage infrastructure led to large volumes of untreated wastewater entering the river at multiple locations which degraded water quality, affected aquatic ecosystems and posed serious public health risks. The project was undertaken to address these challenges through systematic interception, treatment and management of urban wastewater. Existing sewer networks and natural drains were assessed to identify pollution hotspots and optimal interception points, after which interceptor sewers, diversion systems, pumping stations and sewage treatment facilities were planned to capture wastewater upstream and convey it for treatment under controlled conditions. Systems were designed to handle variable flows arising from seasonal fluctuations and long-term urban growth.

TCE's Story

Tata Consulting Engineers played a comprehensive and strategic role across planning and detailed engineering. The scope included analysis of existing sewerage systems, assessment of hydraulic capacities, delineation of present and future command areas and estimation of domestic and industrial wastewater flows. TCE developed optimised interceptor based solutions that reduced excessive pumping, minimised deep excavation in dense urban areas and improved overall system efficiency. Detailed engineering was carried out for interceptor sewers, pumping stations and treatment facilities with careful attention to constructability and long term operability. Alternative process options were evaluated to balance treatment efficiency, capital investment and operational sustainability. Low-cost sanitation strategies were planned for underserved areas to reduce pollution at source and improve overall sanitation coverage.

Impact

The project significantly reduced untreated sewage entering the river along covered stretches, improved river water quality, strengthened urban sanitation infrastructure and contributed to better public health outcomes. It laid the foundation for sustained river conservation by integrating long term wastewater management into urban planning along the Ganga basin