Water resources ministry takes new initiatives for Ganga rejuvenation

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvination Uma Bharti has finalized a Ganga rejuvenation programme which will have three groups, seven objectives and 21 points, after going through in details into the recommendations of the group of secretaries.

The committee of senior officials of the Ministry and consortiums of seven IITs constituted to ensure uninterrupted flow of Ganga will submit its final report by the month end.

The Minister has directed Central Water Commission( CWC) to prepare plans for the construction of reservoirs along Ganga, Yamuna and its tributaries to ensure sufficient water in these rivers during non monsoon season.

To ensure cleanness of Ganga and Yamuna , 41 teams of CWC experts visited several places to assess the impact of open drains falling into these rivers and status of Sewage Treatment Plants ( STPs).

Three expert teams were constituted to suggest measures for setting up of new STPs and modernization of existing STPs. These committees have so far examined 18 major suggestions.

For riverfront development and beautification of ghats, detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared for two such ghats at Delhi and Haridwar. Very soon final decision will be taken for development of ghats in Mathura, Vrindavan and other places in PPP mode.

It has also been decided to constitute Ganga Task Force to ensure proper implementation of Ganga rejuvenation programme. Ministry of Defence will provide manpower for this.