India, Jan. 5 -- Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil chaired the 17th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF), focusing on strengthening technology-driven monitoring and data-based decision-making under the Namami Gange Programme.

The Minister reviewed progress in pollution abatement, noting the completion of 15 infrastructure projects this year, led by Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar and West Bengal. He stressed the need for expediting state policies on safe reuse of treated wastewater in line with the national framework.

Key initiatives discussed included GIS-based drainage mapping using aerial surveys, LiDAR and drone technology in Uttar Pradesh, enabling basin-level pollution monitoring and targeted remediation.

The Minister a...