MSRRA Cleared: Maharashtra adopts unified approach to clean polluted rivers

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the formation of the Maharashtra State River Rejuvenation Authority (MSRRA) , an apex body to address river pollution through a coordinated, basin-level approach. Environment Minister Pankaja Munde said the authority is the first of its kind in India , integrating multiple departments under a unified framework.

The MSRRA will focus on restoring 54 polluted river stretches in the state, which has the highest number of polluted rivers in the country based on biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels (a measure of how much oxygen is required by microorganisms to break down organic waste in water higher BOD indicates more pollution and lower water quality). Priority rivers include the Godavari River, Bhima River, Indrayani River, Mula River, Mutha River and Nag River.

Officials said past river-cleaning efforts were hindered by fragmented implementation and weak coordination. The MSRRA aims to resolve this through a centralised structure, bringing together departments such as water resources, urban development, industries and rural development.

Chaired by the Chief Minister, the authority will approve project plans, monitor implementation and ensure inter-departmental coordination. A State Executive Committee will oversee execution and address bottlenecks like land acquisition and encroachments.

The state plans a ₹2,000 crore corpus over five years , with ₹400 crore annually, supplemented by funds from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, CSR contributions, international agencies and sand excavation royalties.

The MSRRA will adopt a river-basin approach similar to the Centre’s Namami Gange Programme, supported by technical inputs from institutions like the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and the Indian Institutes of Technology.

While river-cleaning programmes exist elsewhere, officials said Maharashtra is the first state to create a dedicated, multi-departmental authority with both regulatory and developmental powers for river rejuvenation. A decade-long plan has been outlined, with visible improvements targeted within three years, and the Godavari River likely to be prioritised ahead of the upcoming Kumbh.