Ganga Action Plan objective – UGC NET Question

The Ganga Action Plan was one of India’s earliest major programmes aimed at cleaning a large river system. Its focus was on reducing pollution by constructing sewage treatment plants, improving interception of drains and controlling industrial effluents. By targeting major municipal and industrial sources, GAP sought to restore the water quality of the Ganga. Hence, the statement in Option C correctly expresses its primary environmental objective.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because hydroelectric generation was not the central purpose of GAP. While dams exist on the Ganga, the plan itself was specifically framed as a pollution abatement programme.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because flood control through embankments is a separate aspect of river management. GAP’s documents and investments focused on pollution rather than structural flood defences.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it identifies sewage and industrial effluents as the main pollutants targeted. The plan’s components, such as treatment plants and interception structures, directly reflect this aim.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect; large-scale irrigation diversion is associated with other river valley projects, not with the Ganga Action Plan. GAP was more concerned with water quality than with quantity allocation.