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Years needed to properly clean Ganga: Uma
Even though the mission was being undertaken as a top priority and people’s active participation was also sought, it may take still take many years for the holy river to become truly free of pollutants.
Union minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Uma Bharti on Saturday said the mission to rid Ganga and other prominent rivers of the country of all pollutants and rejuvenate their aqua life was well on its way. She, however, conceded that the task of making a concrete plan for this mega task took almost two years. Even though the mission was being undertaken as a top priority and people’s active participation was also sought, it may take still take many years for the holy river to become truly free of pollutants.
The minister was speaking at a Ganga Chaupal organised at the well-known pilgrimage site of Shringverpur, 45km from Allahabad city, under the aegis of NGOs Ganda Samay and Ganga Vihar Manch.
She said that a sewage treatment plant will be constructed near Shringverpur dham to stop untreated waste from entering the river.
The minister also promised construction of a proper cremation site, pucca bathing ghat and toilets, especially for women pilgrims.
During the chaupal, the minister also interacted representatives of NGOs, government agencies, other institutions and individuals to make Namami Gange programme a success.
Earlier, she also offered prayers at the Shringverpur dham temple and also performed Ganga puja at its ghat. Prominent among those present included former Allahabd high court judge justice Sudhir Agarwal and former MLA Vikramajeet Maurya.
The visit was part of the first leg of her Ganga Nirikshan Abhiyan under which she is visiting several places from Ganga Sagar to Gangotri along the river Ganga to personally monitor the progress of Namami Gange programme.
During the 2500-km tour, the Uma Bharti will pass through Kakdweep, Kapilmuni Ashram (Ganga Sagar), Nabadweep, Murshidabad, Farraka, Sultanganj (Bhaglpur), Munger, Patna, Arrah , Buxar, Varanasi, Allahabad, Shringverpur, Fatehpur, Kanpur, Fatehgarh, Kasganj, Narrora, Bhrigu Ashram, Brijghat, Vidhurkuti, Haridwar and Uttarkashi to reach Gangotri.
She is travelling through boat, road, rail, air and on foot as part of this Ganga Nirikshan Abhiyan she will now be visiting Fatehpur, Kanpur, Kasganj, Brijghat and Gangotri.
