Urban River Management Plan Review Conducted in Haldwani–Kathgodam and Ramnagar,

Under the joint aegis of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, a field inspection was conducted on October 9–10, 2025, in Haldwani–Kathgodam and Ramnagar as part of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP). The visit followed the second meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Working Group (MSWG).Inspection in Haldwani–KathgodamDuring the field visit, the joint team comprising representatives from the State Mission for Clean Ganga, Uttarakhand, NIUA, and LEA Associates inspected key sites including the legacy waste site of Haldwani Municipal Corporation, sewage treatment plant (STP), cantonment board area, riverfront stretches, Haldwani and Kathgodam drains.Engineers from Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam presented details regarding STP operations and the proposed 20 KLD co-treatment plant.Forest Department officials elaborated on plantation and riverbank conservation initiatives.Municipal officers gave a presentation on the progress of solid waste and legacy waste management activities.Inspection in RamnagarIn Ramnagar, the team visited the Kosi Barrage, 7 MLD STP, city drains, sewer network plans from Wards 1 to 6, and riverbank work areas.Officials from Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam provided updates on the 32 KLD co-treatment plant and STP operational status.The team conducted a comprehensive review of riverbank zones, waste management systems, reusable water processes, drain conditions, and integrated management of urban water systems.Objective and OutcomesState Mission for Clean Ganga monitoring expert Rohit Jayada stated that the primary objective of the inspection was to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and identify practical intervention areas for river-centric urban planning.The inspection team included officers from LEA Associates, NIUA, State Mission for Clean Ganga, Haldwani–Kathgodam Municipal Corporation, Ramnagar Municipal Council, Peyjal Nigam, Irrigation Department, and Forest Department. Following the inspection, preliminary findings and recommendations were compiled to be incorporated into the draft Urban River Management Plan for both cities.