PATNA: Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said Narendra Modi- government has targeted to make 80% of Ganga clean by 2019 by executing numerous schemes under Namami Gange programme.
Gadkari informed that 10 cities have been identified, which contribute the most in the pollution of Ganga with Kanpur topping the chart. “We have accordingly asked UP government to ensure zero discharge from sugar factories, paper mills and other industrial units, which lead to high discharge of pollutants in river Ganga,” Gadkari said.

He added: “Namami Gange is a challenging task as the river flows through multiple states and the level of pollution also varies. The central government has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 22,00crores for different schemes under Namami Gange. The schemes were conceptualised after studying the river pollution mitigation measures in other countries in Europe, US and Japan. The best minds and best technologies have been involved in conceptualising and execution of Namami Gange programme.”

Replying to queries over construction of barrages in Ganga under Inland Waterways schemes, Gadkari said: “We are not constructing any barrage in Ganga between Varansi and Haldia.”
Replying to another question of possibility of running sea planes, Gadkari said: “We are going to form a new law for operations of sea planes in India. The sea planes would land not only on water but also on ground. If Bihar government requests, then we would launch this service here as well.”
The union minister also approved the second phase of Patna Ganga riverfront development project, which envisages development of 27 ghats between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna City along with a 6.5kms promenade connecting them. The project will be executed with an estimated outlay of Rs218crores.
Works on phase- 1 of Ganga riverfront development in Patna is already in the final stages, which entails development of 5.7km-long and 15ft-wide walkway along 20 Ghats in Patna complemented with amenities including decorative street lamps, public lavatories, 500 seating benches, green cover among others. The project it was initially slated to be completed by June, 2016 but it is now targeted to be completed by June, this year.
Source : timesofindia