Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and
Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has said that a new act will be formulated
for speedy implementation of Namami Gange programme. Chairing the 6th
meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority in New Delhi today the
Minister said that five Ganga basin states have agreed in principle to this
idea. Sushri Bharti said that an expert committee under the guidance of Justice
(Retd.) Shri Girdhar Malaviya, member NGRBA will make suggestions regarding
the proposed act. The Minister also announced setting of a committee on
de-silting under the chairmanship Shri Madhav Chitale, member NGBRA. Sushri
Bharti said that very soon 20 trash skimmers will be put in operation along the
entire stretch of river Ganga in addition of the five machine already in
operation.
Referring to river front development Sushri Bharti informed
that 1242 ghats and drains in 411 villages have been identified for this
purpose and very soon work will start there. She said out of 118 towns along
the river Ganga detailed survey of 59 towns has been completed and 27 reports
have been prepared. 50 more reports will be received by this month end. The
Minister said that Wild Life Institute of India has been selected to suggest
majors for conservation of dolphins, crocodiles and other species. In addition
to this, Central Inlands Fisheries Research Institute has been asked to
undertake various majors for the conservation of various types of fish. Sushri
Bharti said that on the basis of recommendations of the Forest
Research
Institute, trees will be planted in 2700 hect. areas along the river Ganga
during the current financial year. The Minister said 57 manual and five real
time monitoring stations have already started functioning to monitor the
quality of water of river Ganga. In addition to this 113 more real time
stations will be set up by March next year.
The members attending the meeting raised various issues
pertaining to sand mining desilting, Ganga Act etc. They expressed their
satisfaction over the progress of namami Gange program and various initiatives
taken up by the Ministry of Water Resources. There was detailed discussion on
the issue of industrial effluents. The representative of CPCB appraised the
members about the progress in this regard an informed that real time effluents
monitoring stations have been set up in 508 grossly polluting industries. He
said closer notice have been issued 150 such industries.
Union Minister for Science and Technology Shri Harsh Vardhan,
Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Chaudhary Birender
Singh, Union Minister Tourism and Culture Shri Mahesh Sharma, Water
Resources Ministers of various states and senior officials from various states
and Ministries attended the meeting.
Samir/jk