State nod to 11 projects to revive Saraswati river

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh January 3

Committed to realising state government’s vision of reviving the ancient Saraswati river in the state and ensuring regular flow of fresh water in it, the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB), which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here on Thursday, approved 11 major projects, including restoration of various heritage sites along the course of the Saraswati.

While presiding over the fourth meeting of the governing body of the board, Khattar, who is also the chairman of the board, said it was the priority of the state government to ensure that fresh water flowed in the Saraswati and various steps were being taken to ensure this.

On the occasion, he also launched a mobile app developed by the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board. The information related to the Saraswati, including the scientific evidence of its existence and other relevant studies, have been made available on the app. He also approved the logo of the Saraswati Heritage Development Board.

The projects that were approved for the rejuvenation and development of the river in the state included construction of the Somb Saraswati barrage and Saraswati reservoir, construction of Adi Badri dam, Saraswati river rejuvenation from the Saraswati reservoir to its outfall in the Ghaggar, interlinking of the Markanda river and the Saraswati through the Kainthla supply channel, and construction of waste water treatment plants for the recycling of all waste water falling into the Saraswati among others.

The board also approved the proposal for the appointment of a consultant to assess the techno-feasibility for waterway, heritage development and pilgrimage tourism from Pipli to Jyotisar.