'Namami Gange' is repentance for sin of polluting Ganga, says Uma Bharti

NEW DELHI: The ‘Namami Gange’ programme is “repentance” for the sin of polluting the river Ganga through industrialisation and urbanisation post-Independence, said Union water resources minister Uma Bharti. Bharti has appealed the MPs from constituencies along the river and its tributaries to help make the campaign successful through their active involvement and cooperation.

“We will go for this repentance and handover a clean Ganga to the future generations as an invaluable heritage”, Bharti said.

Addressing a gathering of MPs here late Tuesday evening, the minister also expressed her wish to proceed on a ‘Padyatra’ from Gangortri to Ganga Sagar provided the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves it.


She said, “During this journey, I want to have an on the spot evaluation of the progress of the Namami Gange programme and urge the people to make this a success”.

The ‘Namami Gange’ is the centrally-sponsored programme for which the government had last year approved Rs 20,000 crore for implementing various Ganga rejuvenation programmes over the next five years till 2020. While about 250 small and medium projects have already been launched, nearly 1,000 other projects are in the pipeline.

MPs while appreciating the progress of the ‘Namami Gange’ programme urged the water resources minister to start various projects in their constituencies. “Some members were of the view that before starting Namami Gange programme in their respective constituencies, the MPs concerned should be consulted in detail”, said a statement, issued by the ministry on Wednesday.

Singer and actor Manoj Tiwari - BJP MP from north-east Delhi - is learnt to have suggested that folk singers and musician along the river Ganga should be provided the opportunity to perform at various places along the river.

“The minister welcomed the idea and directed her officials to act accordingly”, said an official.

Bharti also told the MPs that she would call their meeting once in every six months to discuss the progress of the Namami Gange programme in their constituencies.

She said, “The meeting in future will also take stock of the implementation of the Namami Gange programme”.