VARANASI, April 24 -- The discharge of approximately 33 million litres per day (MLD) of raw sewage, which was previously flowing directly into the Ganga river, has been intercepted and diverted following the commissioning of the new 55 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) at Bhagwanpur. The facility is now operational, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to inaugurate it during his upcoming visit to Varanasi on April 28. The foundation stone for this project was laid by the Prime Minister in March 2023. The project, executed at an approximate cost of Rs.308.09 crore, has successfully intercepted, diverted and treated polluted water flowing into the Ganga from the Assi river and an associated drain. Ashish Kumar Singh, project manager of the Ganga Pollution Control Unit, Varanasi, stated that the 55 MLD STP is ready and has started functioning. The project's infrastructure includes a 50 MLD main pumping station, a 5 MLD sewage pumping station, a 3.51-kilometre rising main, and a 1.35-kilometre treated effluent pipeline. Singh also noted that the quality of the Ganga water has shown continuous improvement due to the increase in the number of STPs. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in the Ganga water, which ranged between 6 and 10 in 2017, have dropped to a range of 3 to 6 by 2026, serving as a clear indication of the reduction in river pollution, he added....