Namami Gange: Eight projects worth Rs 638 crore approved
The Centre has approved eight projects worth Rs 638 crore under the ongoing Namami gange programme, including four projects for the Hindon river, a tributary of the Yamuna. Sewage management projects for Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were also given the nod.
In the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), approval for four projects worth Rs 407.39 crore was given for pollution abatement in the Shamli district. These projects are part of the comprehensive Hindon Rejuvenation Plan.
Hindon river is identified as Priority-I polluted river stretch. The sanctined projects are aimed at preventing the flow of polluted water into Krishni River. Krishni is one of the major tributaries of Hindon which discharges pollution from Shamli district into Hindon.
The four projects in Shamli district include construction of a 5 million litres per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (Nirmal Jal Kendra); 5 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Babri and Bantikhera villages besides a 5-MLD STP, 5 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Banat town.
Also, a 40 MLD STP, 20 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Shamli town and a 10-MLD STP, 10 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Thanabhawan town have been given approval.
As part of preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2025, one project for development of seven ghats in the city was also approved. The ghats include Dashashmedh Ghat, Quila Ghat, Naukayan Ghat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat, Saraswati Ghat, Maheva Ghat and Rasulabad Ghat. These ghats will have amenities such as area for bathing, change room, universal access ramp, drinking water points, flood lights for night, kiosks and landscaping.
According to an official statement, the EC also gave approval to one sewage management project in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In Bihar, a project to construct threeSTPs (7 MLD, 3.5 MLD and 6 MLD in Zones 1 and 2 respectively), among other works, was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 77.39 crore. These projects will prevent the flow of polluted water into River Kiul, a tributary of Ganga.
In Madhya Pradesh, one project to construct a 22 MLD STP, 2.38 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and other works was approved at a cost of Rs 92.78 crore. This project will prevent the flow of polluted water into River Kshipra, which is sub-tributary of Yamuna.
Another project for ghat development was approved for Haridwar, Uttarakhand where Akhand Param Dham ghat will be constructed at a total cost of Rs 2.12 crore. The project includes construction of Shop/Kiosk (for Ghat pe Haat activities), yoga/meditation lawn, handicap ramp, promenade, platform for cultural and religious activities, the statement added.
