About Project

Long-term rejuvenation of the river Ganga is envisaged to have considerable socio-economic benefits on the lives of around 500 million people living in Ganga basin. Furthermore, the rejuvenation of the river has a direct correlation with improving the habitat of numerous sensitive and endangered flora and fauna. Recognising the significance and sustained need for Ganga rejuvenation, Government of India (GoI) has identified effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the national river as one of its priorities. In this regard, Namami Gange has been approved by GoI in May 2015 as a 'Flagship Program' for cleaning and protection of the river and its tributaries.  

Subsequently, the Department of Water Resources, issued the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 (Ganga 2016 order) to constitute various authorities for assisting the government in achieving its aim of effective abatement of pollution in the river Ganga. The order designated NMCG as the nodal agency for implementation of the Ganga 2016 order.

Rapid urbanization and unprecedented industrial growth cause the degradation of rivers in various forms and exploit the water resources. Ganga River is no exception. The deterioration of water quality impacts negatively on people and it affects all aspects of life. Most of earth's glaciers are melting faster than ever because of human-caused climate change. This is one of the reasons for infrastructure projects in the upper reaches those are getting hampered due to anomalous increase of flow in Ganga River. This issue needs comprehensive response.

The Banthar Leather Technology Park in Unnao has been developed by U.P. State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) during 2000-04 that constitute a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) with a capacity of 4.5 MLD, to cater the 42 tannery units within the park. Till date, about 27 tanneries have been established and operational. In addition, 15 tanneries are likely to be commissioned during the coming years.

Variation in the types of leather processing, effluent discharge characteristics and pollution load, mode of operation etc. will be compared to the characteristics adopted for the initial CETP design, inadequate cushion in the CETP system for taking care of variable pollution load. The Pretreatment Units (PTEPs) in individual tanneries and CETP system could not meet the specified norms/ requirements of UPPCB/CPCB.

Banthar Industrial Pollution Control Company (BIPCC), an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) formed under the Companies Act, for management of Common Effluent Treatment Plant at Banthar Leather Technology Park, Banthar (Uttar Pradesh).

A detailed study has been carried out for upgradation of Banthar CETP for a total combined wastewater discharge capacity of 4.5 MLD. It is found that the effluent from tanneries in terms of quality and quantity is a major variable. The scope and concept of the upgradation are-

1. Upgrade cleaner production in tanneries connected with CETP in Banthar Leather Park by segregation of spent chrome liquor up to a volume of 0.5 MLD, transportation through specially designed tankers from all chrome tanneries with GPS and implementation of new Common Chrome Recovery System for a capacity of 0.5 MLD. This would ensure better chrome management as per the directions of NGT and reduction of TDS in the effluent
2. Segregation of saline soak stream from tanneries up to a total volume of 1.2 MLD through separate new wastewater pipeline conveyance system and establish a new treatment system with ZLD concept for recovery of quality water and salt for reuse
3. Upgradation of existing Banthar CETP for treatment of composite stream received from the tanneries up to a capacity of 2.8 MLD. In addition, 10% hydraulic loading to ZLD system by incorporating UF, RO & MEE units with temporary storage facility for the mixed unusable salt is also proposed in case of non-availability of treated sewage for dilution with the composite stream. The existing wastewater collection network from tanneries to CETP will be renovated with suitable upgradation and will be utilized for the conveyance of composite stream to the upgraded CETP.

NMCG, Govt of India has approved the upgradation of 4.5 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant for Tanneries with Soak Treatment, Common Chrome Recovery System, Composite Stream Treatment on ZLD Technology at Banthar, Unnao, UP vide AA&ES letter no.
T-12 /2017-18/268/NMCG /Banthar Dated 21.02.2020 for Est Cost of Rs 108.93 Cr.
It includes 75% (Rs 81.70 Cr) Central Govt share as a Grant-in-Aid from NMCG and 25% (Rs 27.23 Cr) share of the project cost will be borne by BIPCC, an existing SPV. Bonus and additional payment will also be shared in the aforesaid proportion.

While the BIPCC will be the principal executing agency and bidding authority for the Project, NMCG will be responsible for financial liabilities to the Contractor and Project Engineer.