Ganga will be completely clean by March 2020: Gadkari

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari said at Prayagraj Kumbh that water of river Ganga will be completely clean by March 2020. Talking to media persons at Kumbh, he said the flow of the river will also be undisrupted.

“The quality of water of river Ganga at Sangam at this Kumbh is much better in the comparison to previous years and this is the result of completion of only 30 per cent projects being implemented by the Government under Namami Gange programme for rejuvenation of the Ganga. All projects being implemented for cleanliness of river Ganga and its tributaries will be completed by next March. Several projects are also being implemented for cleaning and rejuvenation of Yamuna and other tributaries of Ganga,” the minister said.

Waterways are also being developed between Varanasi and Prayagraj and dredging of river Ganga is being conducted to maintain minimum one meter draft for smooth waterways navigation. Two dredgers have been deployed for the same, informed Gadkari.

Gadkari inaugurated the second phase of River Information System on River Ganga, for the Farakka to Patna section of the river at a cost of Rs 16 crore under Jal Marg Vikas Project. Five base stations have been constructed at Manihari, Bhagalpur, Munger, Barh and Haldiah, while the Control Station has been constructed at Patna.

The minister also inaugurated five floating jetties on river Yamuna at Prayagraj. “80 lakhs tonnes of goods have been transported through the Varanasi Haldia waterways last year and very this will go upto 280 lakh tonnes. Waterways not only bring down the cost of logistics of transportation but are also environment friendly,” he said.

The minister  also suggested to the Uttar Pradesh government to introduce five star cruises between Varanasi to Allahabad to promote tourism. He also offered concessions and supports to develop manufacturing units of fibre boats with modern technology replacing country boats. This, he said, would help generate employment .