The gadgets were installed right next to the point from where the effluents were released out of the industries, before joining the river. Once effluents enter the river, it becomes difficult to assess which pollutant has entered the river from where, and in what quantity.

NMCG director TVSN Prasad said, "Gadgets have been installed just on the location where the effluents are released out of the industries to record the quantity and quality of the effluents. There is another gadget installed at a little height on the same location to measure the air pollution created by these effluents. These records are not only maintained by the industries but also kept by NMCG as well."

Prasad said moves were afoot to get even the smaller industries located near the river to install the device for monitoring pollutants. "We are encouraging even small industries to install such gadgets. If they cannot do so on their own, small clusters of such industries can be built and connected to these gadgets. Either the state government or the private sector can be roped in to do so."

Of 2,723.3 MLD sewage that flows down into the Ganga, around 25% comes from industries, Prasad said.

"There are some 764 highly toxic industries in the states on the Ganga banks. These industries are dumping their extremely harmful waste into the river and its tributaries," the NMCG official said.

Prasad added that gradually, all industries that release effluents into the river will have to maintain day-to-day record of waste and its disposal. "NMCG is going to keep a check on them through these gadgets," he said.

This ambitious scheme has been launched by the Union ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation.