Jharkhand Maps Cleanup Plan for Subarnarekha, Kharkai

Jharkhand has presented a detailed roadmap to curb river pollution and improve urban water management after Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy raised questions in the Assembly on untreated waste entering the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers. The government’s reply reviewed the current status of sewage treatment plants in Ranchi and Jamshedpur and explained the broader planning effort under the Urban River Management Plan (URMP).

Subarnarekha and Kharkai still face untreated discharge

Roy asked whether Ranchi and Jamshedpur continue to release large volumes of sewage into the Subarnarekha. The government said the issue persists, but several treatment projects are operational or close to execution.

In Ranchi, the Harmu river rejuvenation scheme was completed in October 2018. The contractor then handled operation and maintenance for five years. A 37 MLD treatment plant at Bargai, built for nine municipal wards, is functional and sends treated water to Bada Talab. The state said work on the next phase of maintenance is in progress.

In Jamshedpur and Mango, a government survey identified 21 drains carrying polluted water to the Subarnarekha. A DPR has been prepared for nine drains under Mango Municipal Corporation, and tendering has begun for a 1.2 MLD plant in Phase One. For the Jamshedpur urban area, a final DPR for a 44 MLD treatment plant has been submitted.

Government accepts gaps but points to ongoing work

Roy also asked whether the Jamshedpur and Mango municipal bodies had made any serious effort to stop untreated discharge. The government said the planned network of sewage treatment plants will address the pollution load once completed. It added that work is moving forward in stages.

The exchange showed how untreated waste continues to reach both rivers even as new treatment plants remain under planning or initial execution. The delays raise concerns about the impact on earlier investments and the health of the river system.

Five Jharkhand districts chosen for URMP

Roy also sought public release of the river management plans prepared for Ranchi and Jamshedpur. The government said the National Mission for Clean Ganga has launched Urban River Management Plans for 62 cities across five states. In Jharkhand, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Chas, Adityapur and Sahibganj/Rajmahal have been selected in the first phase.

The plans are being drafted by the National Institute of Urban Affairs and its knowledge partner Alluvium India. Over time, all 14 towns in Jharkhand that are part of the River Cities Alliance will receive their own URMPs. These include Ranchi, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Adityapur, Chas, Medininagar, Mango, Giridih, Jamshedpur, Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Jugsalai, Phusro and Chirkunda.

Structured river governance taking shape

The URMP is designed to integrate sewage management, stormwater control, land use regulation and ecological protection. It aims to provide cities with a long-term framework to improve river health and reduce pollution.

Roy urged the state to publish the plans for Ranchi and Jamshedpur and start implementation without delay. The government said work is underway and the plans will guide long-term river governance.

What this means for Jharkhand

The Assembly discussion underlined the gap between planning and on-ground action. Even as new treatment plants are prepared, untreated waste continues to enter major rivers like the Subarnarekha and Kharkai. The URMP promises a structured approach, but its success will depend on timely execution and transparent monitoring.

Over the next two years, Jharkhand will need focused implementation, sustained funding and stronger accountability to restore its urban rivers.