Clean Ganga is our priority: Nitin Gadkari

Union Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday affirmed that cleaning the River Ganga was the top priority of the government.

Addressing the media here, the Union Minister said necessary arrangements will be made to clean the river before the commencement of the Kumbh Mela in January next year.

"We will provide funds to Uttar Pradesh government to clean drains which pollute Ganga before Kumbh Mela near Allahabad and will send four dredgers for dredging Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi. Clean and pure Ganga is our priority," Gadkari said after reviewing the cleaning work at the bank of the River Ganga here, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Gadkari said the Centre is investing Rs 1700 crore in the dredging of Ganga and four river ports will be constructed in Allahabad.

He further said that by November end, the Ministry will also launch Airboat services with a capacity of 40 people that will function between Allahabad and Varanasi.