Centre approves digital twin of Ganga

New Delhi, Dec 8: The government has approved the creation of a digital twin of the Ganga under a Centre of Excellence at IIT Delhi, aimed at improving data-driven decision-making for the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

The project will use hydrological modelling, groundwater stress assessment, hotspot identification, scenario analysis and basin-level monitoring to bring greater transparency and objectivity to river-management efforts.

Artificial intelligence, mathematical simulations and advanced planning tools form the backbone of this initiative.

In a major push to modernise wastewater infrastructure, NMCG is expanding Hybrid Annuity Model-based Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, which tie payments directly to the performance of sewage treatment plants (STPs).

A new project worth Rs 361.86 crore has been sanctioned for interception-and-diversion works and a new STP in Siliguri, West Bengal, to curb pollution in the Mahananda River.

The hybrid annuity model was developed to address longstanding concerns that private operators paid inadequate attention to operation and maintenance, as most payments were made during construction.

Separately, a major glacier-melt study has been approved for the National Institute of Hydrology to establish a real-time monitoring network across the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins up to Devprayag. Covering key glacier systems including Gangotri, Satopanth, Khatling, Pindar and Chorabari, the project will assess glacier mass balance, melt-runoff contributions and climate impacts using satellite data, field measurements and SPHY modelling.

A Web-GIS dashboard will be developed for NMCG to track results and emerging risks linked to rising temperatures.

The information was provided in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary.