File photo NEW DELHI: Providing an impetus to technology-driven river rejuvenation and pollution abatement measures, the Uttar Pradesh govt, in coordination with central agencies, has completed high-resolution aerial surveys of areas along the Ganga main stem in the state, generating precise geospatial datasets that are being integrated into a live GIS-based drain dashboard for round-the-clock monitoring.The dashboard with 2D and 3D visualisation capabilities enables basin-level pollution monitoring, identification of hotspots and prioritisation of drain remediation measures. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative where LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based scientific data has been coupled with visual data generated through drone surveys.LiDAR, an active remote sensing technique, and drone surveys have been used to identify all drains discharging into the river, enabling a comprehensive response to drainage-related challenges through enhanced surveillance of sewage treatment infrastructure.The progress and deployment of such technology in the Ganga river basin was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister C R Paatil on Monday.The meeting also saw stress being laid on the importance of reuse of treated wastewater, adoption of innovative and research-based solutions such as ‘aquifer mapping’ with a focus on Paleo-Channels, as well as initiatives relating to bioremediation and innovative sewage treatment projects and centralised effluent treatment plants.Paatil directed all states to expeditiously formulate the policy for safe reuse of treated water, in alignment with the national framework. The review exercise also emphasised promotion of reuse of treated water in states with clearly prescribed targets and an enabling environment through notification of policy provisions.Meanwhile, the National Mission for Clean Ganga — a central nodal agency for implementation of the Ganga rejuvenation programme — is introducing CCTV-based real-time monitoring systems. This will be integrated with an AI-enabled feature extraction system and a centralised dashboard to further enhance the monitoring and compliance framework of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).STPs are currently being comprehensively monitored through Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) which track key water quality parameters such as BOD, COD, DO, pH and TSS. “The new initiative will add a critical layer of physical and visual monitoring to address concerns related to effective operation of STPs,” said an official.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal Imposes Curfew In Birgunj Near India Border After Social Media Sparks Religious TensionsHyderabad Techie Murdered In US: Father Denies Love Angle, Seeks Justice Across BordersIndia Speeds Up Chenab Hydropower Projects, Redrawing Indus Rivers Water Control Lines For PakistanPolitical War Erupts After JNU Slogans Target PM Modi Following Umar Khalid Bail Rejection VerdictUS Senator Claims India Cut Russian Oil Buys And Sought Trump Tariff Relief Amid Pressure Bid On OilVHP Calls Out Bangladesh Chief Adviser Yunus’ ‘Empire of Unrest’ After 6 Hindus Killed In 18 DaysPathankot Arrest Of 15-Year-Old Spy Exposes Strategy Of Pakistan ISI Targeting Minors Against IndiaBangladesh Unrest Claims Two More Hindu Lives As Six Killings In 18 Days Raise Minority Safety Fears‘Really Happy For Others’: SC Rejects Umar Khalid’S Bail; Partner Shares His Reaction“Trump’s Interest Is Clear”: Ex-Diplomat Slams Venezuela Action123Photostories7 must-read fantasy novels that transport you to magical worldsSimple ways to make thick and dense Hot Chocolate without adding extra caloriesCancel that trip to Kashmir if these 6 places aren’t on your winter travel itinerary5 smart ways to repurpose your old smartwatch instead of throwing it awayTop cultural events in Delhi in January 2026 travellers shouldn’t missHow to make Chettinad Egg Curry for dinnerTimes Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, gave a rare glimpse into his life as a fatherCoimbatore Police Rally: 100 patrol vehicles hit city streetsSeychelles Black Parrot to Eclectus Parrot: 10 different types of parrots found across the worldMumbai–Pune expressway’s final gap closes: Missing link set to open May 1, 30-minute faster drives ahead123Hot PicksBudget 2026Vande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayUS Visa BondsCigarette tax hikeBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersCardi BQuinn HughesKyle TuckerSidney Crosby LifestyleTyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones Net WorthKevin StefanskiChicago Bulls vs Boston CelticsJohn PyleKevin Durant vs LeBron James Net Worth
NEW DELHI: Providing an impetus to technology-driven river rejuvenation and pollution abatement measures, the Uttar Pradesh govt, in coordination with central agencies, has completed high-resolution aerial surveys of areas along the Ganga main stem in the state, generating precise geospatial datasets that are being integrated into a live GIS-based drain dashboard for round-the-clock monitoring.The dashboard with 2D and 3D visualisation capabilities enables basin-level pollution monitoring, identification of hotspots and prioritisation of drain remediation measures. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative where LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based scientific data has been coupled with visual data generated through drone surveys.LiDAR, an active remote sensing technique, and drone surveys have been used to identify all drains discharging into the river, enabling a comprehensive response to drainage-related challenges through enhanced surveillance of sewage treatment infrastructure.The progress and deployment of such technology in the Ganga river basin was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister C R Paatil on Monday.The meeting also saw stress being laid on the importance of reuse of treated wastewater, adoption of innovative and research-based solutions such as ‘aquifer mapping’ with a focus on Paleo-Channels, as well as initiatives relating to bioremediation and innovative sewage treatment projects and centralised effluent treatment plants.Paatil directed all states to expeditiously formulate the policy for safe reuse of treated water, in alignment with the national framework. The review exercise also emphasised promotion of reuse of treated water in states with clearly prescribed targets and an enabling environment through notification of policy provisions.Meanwhile, the National Mission for Clean Ganga — a central nodal agency for implementation of the Ganga rejuvenation programme — is introducing CCTV-based real-time monitoring systems. This will be integrated with an AI-enabled feature extraction system and a centralised dashboard to further enhance the monitoring and compliance framework of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).STPs are currently being comprehensively monitored through Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) which track key water quality parameters such as BOD, COD, DO, pH and TSS. “The new initiative will add a critical layer of physical and visual monitoring to address concerns related to effective operation of STPs,” said an official.
