A clean, free-flowing Ganga by 2020: Govt

Varanasi, Dec 31 (PTI) The Indian government has
expressed confidence that by 2020 the polluted river Ganga
would be cleaned and Rs 15,000 crore will be spent on it.

"The Union Government is confident to clean the holy
Ganga river by 2020 and Rs 15,000 crore will be spent for this
purpose under the river development fund," Indian Environment
Minister Jairam Ramesh said here.
The Centre plans to save the river by making it 'nirmal'
(clean) and 'aviral' ( free flowing), he told reporters
Wednesday.
"We will not only ensure 'aviral dhara' (continuous flow
of the river stream), as being demanded by several NGOs, but
also ensure 'nirmal dhara' (clean and pollution free flow) ,
the minister said.
Ramesh said the World Bank has also committed India at
least one billion dollars as assistance for cleaning up the
heavily polluted Ganga in the first phase.
The clean-up involves building modern sewage treatment,
revamping drains and other measures to improve the quality of
the river, which has been badly polluted by industrial
chemicals, farm pesticides and other sewage.
"This is a project of enormous national importance and I
am pleased that the World Bank has come forward to assist us,"
he said, adding the initial assistance of one billion dollars
would be provided over the next four to five years. (MORE) PTI
IKD
RDM


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.