The Indian government has declared that water in the Ganga River now meets bathing standards at every monitored site, reflecting a noticeable decline in pollution levels. This finding was disclosed in a written response by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in the Lok Sabha.
The Central Pollution Control Board oversees water quality checks at 112 locations along the river traversing five key states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. While most areas meet criteria, certain locations in Uttar Pradesh still lag behind.
Tremendous efforts under the Namami Gange Programme, spanning waste water treatment, afforestation, and biodiversity conservation, have significantly contributed to this positive change. As of 2026, 524 projects aimed at river rejuvenation have been approved, with a significant portion already completed.
(With inputs from agencies.)