Centre nod to schemes forwarded by Uttarakhand government

The union ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation on Thursday approved various schemes forwarded by the Uttarakhand government, including construction of a new 'ghat' at Chandi ghat in Haridwar.

"The construction of the ghat (series of steps leading to a water body) will be managed by central public sector undertakings and the work will begin next month. A consortium of engineers from central PSUs will be formed for strengthening embankments of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers and construction of ghats at Kedarnath. The consortium will prepare the detailed project report in consultations with experts from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi," said an official statement.

"The sewage treatment plants at Muni ki Reti and Jagjeetpura in Rishikesh will be set up by central PSUs. The work is likely to begin by February next. As for assistance sought by the state government for Ardh Kumbh, wherever possible would be accorded under the Namami Gange programme," it added.

The central nod comes after a meeting of Uma Bharti, union minister of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on October 25 in Dehradun.