Civic bodies have key role in checking pollution: Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Launched in 2014 amid much fanfare, the “Clean Ganga” project has not achieved much. However, officials claim otherwise. Insisting that a lot has gone into what is the Prime Minister’s “firm commitment” to the country, officials say results would take time as the holy river has been “neglected” for years.

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 26

Launched in 2014 amid much fanfare, the “Clean Ganga” project has not achieved much. However, officials claim otherwise. Insisting that a lot has gone into what is the Prime Minister’s “firm commitment” to the country, officials say results would take time as the holy river has been “neglected” for years.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar blames municipal authorities for not ensuring proper management of domestic sewage and solid waste. “Swacchh Bharat Campaign cannot happen without wholehearted participation of municipal corporations and gram panchayats,” he said.

Directions have been issued to municipalities on the banks of Ganga and detailed project reports (DPRs) for various works are being prepared, most of which would be operational by 2019. The work for rejuvenation of Ganga is being done at various levels, including nodal ministry Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation along with departments of Environment and Defence.

The Central Pollution Control Board has issued directions under the Water Act and Environment Protection Act (EPA) to 46 million cities, 20 state capitals and 118 towns located on the river. “With these directions, nearly 13 crore population residing in 184 towns will benefit from cleanliness in terms of sewage and solid waste management,” an official said.

Officials at Uma Bharti-headed Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, say work is on to prepare DPRs for all 118 priority towns, which is expected to be completed by 2016. “The minister told the Parliament recently that most of the pollution abatement measures are expected to be operational by 2019,” an official said.

The “Namami Gange” programme initiated by the Modi government has integrated all government efforts to clean Ganga in a comprehensive way with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore for the next five years.