Way back in 1986, Rajiv Gandhi launched the Ganga Action Plan. But years later, after much water (sewage) and money have flowed down the river, it is as bad as it could get. Why are we failing, and what needs to be done differently to clean this and many other rivers?

According to recent estimates by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), faecal coliform levels in the mainstream of the river - some 2,500 kilometres from Gangotri to Diamond Harbour - remain above the acceptable level in all stretches, other than its upper reaches.