The state government on Monday asked the Centre for more funds for pollution control in the Ganga.
The state government said Rs 2000-crore Ganga projects, which were pending with the Centre, should be cleared without further delay.
State advisory council chairman S C Mishra, who represented the state government at the National Ganga River Basin Authority meeting with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Delhi, said adequate funds should be provided for cleaning of the river in the state. Mishra said the provision of Rs 500 crore for the current financial year was inadequate.
He said if the target of a pollution-free Ganga was to be achieved by 2020, the Central government should make proper allocation of funds.
Mishra told the prime minister that the river water from Bijnor to Ballia, covering nearly 900 km, had become extremely polluted and needed urgent attention for the diversion of sewage falling into the river.
He said 26 cities, including Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi, were located on the banks of the river and the state government, on its own, had launched schemes to improve its health.
Chief secretary AK Gupta and principal secretary (urban development), too, Alok Ranjan attended the meeting. Mishra said at least Rs 11,000 crore was required for pollution control in the river and if its tributaries were included, then Rs 20,000 crore would be required. He said the Central government had done 100% funding in the first and second phases of the Ganga Action Plan.
{{/usCountry}}Chief secretary AK Gupta and principal secretary (urban development), too, Alok Ranjan attended the meeting. Mishra said at least Rs 11,000 crore was required for pollution control in the river and if its tributaries were included, then Rs 20,000 crore would be required. He said the Central government had done 100% funding in the first and second phases of the Ganga Action Plan.
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