The ten critical steps to be followed by NMCG are commendable. I have a few comments to bring focus to what must not be forgotten or overlooked. These are stated below: 1. The decentralised sewage treatment systems should have the twin objectives of reuse and recycling of treated sewage and community management of the facility. Flushing toilets, landscaping and use for cooling condensers of centralised air-conditioning systems are some important ways to utilise treated sewage. 2. Reliability of sewage treatment plants should include uninterrupted power supply and storage of untreated or partially treated sewage for ensuring that no sewage reaches a water body without adequate treatment. 3. 'Bring back glory to drains' sounds good but does not clearly convey that storm water drains must be dry during dry weather. 4. Attention to lower order streams and small tributaries should be according to cost-effectiveness in improving the health of main river, Ganga. 5. Ecological flow needs to be ensured rather than just defined. 6. All innovative ways to generate revenue must be critically examined for their impact on the river and for the socio-economic aspects with respect to equity.

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The ten critical steps to be followed by NMCG are commendable. I have a few comments to bring focus to what must not be forgotten or overlooked. These are stated below:

1. The decentralised sewage treatment systems should have the twin objectives of reuse and recycling of treated sewage and community management of the facility. Flushing toilets, landscaping and use for cooling condensers of centralised air-conditioning systems are some important ways to utilise treated sewage.

2. Reliability of sewage treatment plants should include uninterrupted power supply and storage of untreated or partially treated sewage for ensuring that no sewage reaches a water body without adequate treatment.

3. 'Bring back glory to drains' sounds good but does not clearly convey that storm water drains must be dry during dry weather.

4. Attention to lower order streams and small tributaries should be according to cost-effectiveness in improving the health of main river, Ganga.

5. Ecological flow needs to be ensured rather than just defined.

6. All innovative ways to generate revenue must be critically examined for their impact on the river and for the socio-economic aspects with respect to equity.