Thursday, 23 January 2020

Gist of Editorial 22.01.2020

  1. NMCG approves composite Sewerage Projects in Agra to help save Taj and reduce pollution in Yamuna
(Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation)
  • The Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved ten projects worth Rs. 1573.28 crore.
  • In a meeting, it was decided that a comprehensive solution needed to be worked out to address Yamuna’s pollution issues in Agra.
  • The project for Rehabilitation/Renovation of Agra Sewerage Scheme (Interception & Diversion Works) has been conceived at a total cost of Rs. 857.26 crore including O&M cost for 15 years.
Major Components:
  • Tapping of 61 nalas/drains, construction of 3 Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP’s) of total capacity 166 MLD.
  • Construction of 10 decentralized STPs of 9.38 MLD and renovation of 2 existing STPs.
  • Laying of rising main of 17.61 km.
  • Renovation of Sewage Pumping Station (SPS).
  • Renovation of STPs renovation of interception work, upgradation of STPs (for chlorination), and operation & maintenance for 15 years.
They are expected to reduce pollution drastically from Agra city into the river Yamuna.
List of Projects Approved:
Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Kasganj, approved by Executive Committee at a cost of Rs. 76.73 crore (the cost includes O&M for 15 years). Presently, there is no sewerage system in Kasganj, the wastewater is discharged into open drains which finally meet River Kali and contribute to pollution of the river.
Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewerage Treatment Plant at Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, approved by EC at a total project cost of Rs. 64.76 crore (including O&M costs for 15 years). Sultanpur is located on the banks of Gomti River and the waste is conveyed through six drains in the town. This eventually causes pollution in the Gomti River.
The EC approved projects worth Rs. 328.52 crore in Chhapra, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur and Khagaria in Bihar. The proposal intends to develop an Interception & Diversion and Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) of 32 MLD (2 modules of 16 MLD each) capacity at Chhapra town, for the treatment of the sewerage generated from Chhapra town which currently finds its way into river Ghaghra and Ganga.
The proposed STP project includes re-use of treated waste water for irrigation purpose. Hence, this will lead to reduced pollution load into the river Ganga.
I&D works including pumping stations and STPs under Burdwan Municipality, in West-Bengal, approved at a total project cost of Rs. 234.31. Burdwan is the headquarter of Purba Bardhaman district. Even Burdwan is not located immediately by the bank of River Ganga, its untreated wastewater makes its way to the river through Banka River and contributes to the pollution.
Sewerage Scheme for Himachal Pradesh:
  • Sewerage scheme for Zone-II and III of Paonta Town, Himachal Pradesh, approved at a total project cost of Rs. 11.57 crore.
  • Paonta Town (home to the renowned Paonta Sahib Gurudwara) situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. The Paonta Sahib city is divided into 11 wards. The scheme is envisaged in three zones.
  • The river is the boundary between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Background:
No centralized sewerage system in the town and is currently facing serious sanitation problems. The total wastewater from the upper and lower part of the municipal town flows into Banka River through surface drains.
There are 38 main outfalls identified. Hence, all the outfalls to Banka River must be Intercepted and Diverted to proposed lift stations (LS), MPS and the proposed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
NMCG is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
NMCG has a two tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee (both are headed by Director General, NMCG).
Executive Committee is authorized to accord approval for all projects up to Rs. 1000 crore.
Similarly, the State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. It attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation.


  1. Union HRD Minister launches ‘Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC)’ Program of MHRD’s Innovation Cell through video conferencing.
(Ministry of Human Resource Development)
Union HRD Minister launched the ‘Institution’s Innovation Council’ (IIC) program under Innovation cell of MHRD.
Ministry of Human Resource Development has established an “Innovation Cell” at AICTE, to systematically foster the culture of Innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country.
Aim of Institution’s Innovation Councils (IICs):
To encourage, inspire and nurture young students by exposing them to new ideas and processes resulting in innovative activities in their formative years.
The Minister’s Statement:
Educational advancement in higher education can only be achieved by encouraging best practices in innovation and advance research, and Innovation Cell has undertaken many initiatives in this direction like implementing programs like Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievement (ARIIA)Smart India Hackathon (SIH) – 2019, etc.
He further highlighted that more than 1000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have already formed IICs in their campuses and enrolled for the IIC network managed by MHRD’s Innovation cell to promote innovation through multitudinous modes leading to an innovation promotion eco-system.
Background:
Major Focus of IIC –
  • To create a vibrant local innovation ecosystem.
  • Start-up supporting Mechanism in HEIs.
  • Prepare institute for Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements Framework.
  • Establish Function Ecosystem for Scouting Ideas and Pre-incubation of Ideas.
  • Develop better Cognitive Ability for Technology Students.
Why HEIs should join IICs Network?
  • No major capital investment required for establishing IIC as it will make use of existing local ecosystem.
  • Students/Faculty associated with IIC will get exclusive opportunity to participate in various Innovation related initiatives and competitions organized by MHRD.
  • Win exciting Prizes/Certificates every month.
  • Meet/Interact with renowned Business Leaders and top-notch academicians.
  • Opportunity to nurture and prototype new ideas.
  • Mentoring by Industry Professionals.
  • Experimentation with new/latest technologies.
  • Visit new places and learn a new culture.

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