Abatement along Ganga to be hastened

Nearly 132 locations has been identified for the prevention of sewage entering the Ganga

The Uttarakhand State Ganga River Conservation Authority met on Monday at the secretariat here and decided that identified abatement works for the clean-up and conservation of the river would be speeded up.

Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, who chaired the meeting, said the main locations where pollution abatement works were required, had been identified. As many as 132 locations had been identified for the prevention of sewage entering the Ganga, Kumar said. The cost of such sewage treatment plants would be around Rs 7,634 crore.

A provision of 730 community toilets had been proposed to cater to the need of the floating population and tourists in the state.

Kumar further said nearly 159 locations had been proposed for the construction of proper electric or improved wood-based crematoria on the banks of the Ganga and its tributaries. As many as 1,223 bio-digester toilets, 50,9830 household toilets, 10 locations for conservation of aquatic life, 46 locations for disposal of flowers and other puja materials, 38 locations for traditional livelihood projects, capacity building of local bodies and various riverfront development activities had been identified.

It was stated at the meeting that Rs 64.54 crore had been earmarked for the purpose of municipal wastewater (sewerage and sewage treatment), industrial pollution, river front development and solid waste management.

Municipal waste water treatment would be done at Muni Ki Reti, Dhalwala, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gopeshwar, Joshimath, Uttarkashi and Srinagar.