Bharti asks U'khand for blueprint of Namami Gange projects

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti has asked the Uttarakhand government to submit a blueprint of projects to be taken up under Namami Gange Yojana in the state within a week.
During a meeting with Chief Minister Harish Rawat and other senior government officials in Haridwar yesterday, Bharti asked the state to complete the majority of work before Ardhakumbh mela next year.
"The entire estimate of projects to be taken up by the state government under the Namami Gange Yojana should be furnished within a week so that a majority of them are completed by Ardhakumbh mela next year," an official release quoted Bharti.

Five states, through which the Ganga passes, have a special role to play in the implementation of the ambitious scheme aimed at cleaning the mighty river and maintaining its relentless flow, she said.
Uttarakhand is vital for the Namami Gange project as the ancient river and several of its tributaries originate here.
Assuring Bharti that the required blueprint will be submitted at the earliest, the Chief Minister said it is currently being fine-tuned so that it is technically sound and leaves no room for any loopholes.

He also sought the Union Minister's cooperation in allocation of funds by the Centre for the Ardhakumbh mela, considering proximity of the event.

Early release of funds by the Centre will expedite works of permanent nature to be taken up as part of preparations for the grand event, he said.
However, Rawat assured her that the majority of important works related to Ardhakumbh will be complete by December this year and the rest of them by end of January next year.
Bharti assured him that she would take up the matter with the Union Finance Minister when she returns to Delhi and directed the officials concerned to ensure that there is enough drinking water and toilet facilities for devotees in the mela area.

Bharti also asked them to see that Har Ki Pauri ghat is properly regulated for security reasons during the mela which witnesses a huge congregation of people along the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar.