Key Details
NMCG and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) are expanding Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) across Ganga Basin cities to integrate river conservation, flood resilience, ecological restoration and urban development within a single planning framework.
Area | Details |
|---|---|
Initiative | Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) |
Lead Institutions | NMCG and NIUA |
Plans Completed | 13 cities |
Phase I Expansion | 27 cities |
Phase II Expansion | 33 cities |
Long-Term Coverage | All 97 cities along the main stem of the Ganga |
Core Focus Areas | Pollution control, flood resilience, wetland restoration, riverfront development, treated water reuse and citizen participation |
Demonstration Project | Kanpur (COD Drain and urban water body rejuvenation) |
Implementation Support | Performance-Based Incentive Grant under the NMCG–World Bank partnership |
The Emerging Model for River-Centred Urban Planning
Rivers Are Becoming Part of Urban Planning, Not Just Environmental Management
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) are expanding Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) across Ganga Basin cities. The initiative seeks to place river health, flood resilience, wetlands, public spaces and water management at the centre of urban planning rather than treating them as standalone environmental concerns.
Expansion Signals a Shift from Pilots to Basin-Wide Implementation
Following the completion of URMPs in 13 cities, plans are now being prepared for 27 cities under Phase I and 33 cities under Phase II, with a long-term goal of covering all 97 cities along the main stem of the Ganga. The programme builds on experiences from cities such as Ayodhya, Kanpur and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, where local river-management strategies were integrated with broader development priorities.
The Focus Is Moving from Planning to Delivery
The plans combine pollution control, floodplain management, wetland restoration, treated-water reuse, riverfront development and citizen participation within a single framework. NMCG is now moving towards implementation through demonstration projects such as the COD Drain rejuvenation project in Kanpur, supported by performance-based financing under the NMCG–World Bank partnership..
What is an Urban River Management Plan (URMP)?
An Urban River Management Plan (URMP) is a city-level planning framework that integrates river conservation with urban development. It helps cities coordinate actions related to pollution control, flood management, wetland restoration, riverfront development, treated water reuse and community participation while incorporating river health into long-term urban planning.
Policy Relevance
Positions river health as a core element of urban planning, rather than a standalone environmental or sanitation issue.
Supports the integration of flood resilience, drainage management, wetland restoration and blue-green infrastructure into city development strategies.
Strengthens implementation of programmes such as AMRUT 2.0, the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) and urban climate-resilience initiatives through river-sensitive planning.
Encourages Urban Local Bodies to move from project-based river clean-up efforts towards long-term river basin governance and management.
Demonstrates how treated wastewater reuse, drain rejuvenation and wetland restoration can contribute to both environmental outcomes and urban water security.
Creates a framework for linking river conservation with tourism, public spaces, cultural heritage and local economic development.
Provides a scalable model that could be adapted for urban river systems beyond the Ganga Basin, including the Yamuna, Godavari, Mahanadi and Cauvery river systems.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can cities balance riverfront development, tourism and public access with ecological restoration and floodplain protection?
Follow the Full News Here: NMCG Scales Up Urban River Management Plans Across 63 Ganga Basin Cities