Project to beautify ghats, clean Ganga soon: Union Minister Mahesh Sharma

VARANASI: With an aim to fulfil the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma today announced introduction of a project for restoration and beautification of ghats and cleaning of the Ganga river here.

Launching a special 'cleaning campaign' at the recently renovated Assi Ghat here, the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture said, the ministry is set to prepare a comprehensive plan for the all round development and beautification of the ghats and cleaning of Ganga river.

A plan is being drafted to clean garbage by using boats as its disposal was a major problem in the historic city of Varanasi due to its narrow lanes. Now boats would ferry garbage and dump it at certain specific points, he said.

'Light and Sound shows' would soon be introduced at Assi Ghat, the minister said while releasing a song and a quawali based on the theme of Ganga and Varanasi written by social worker and Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak.

He also inaugurated a Sulabh public toilet on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a cleaning drive at Assi Ghat and Sulabh International has excavated and cleaned it.

Lauding the efforts of Sulabh International, Sharma called upon other organisations to come forward to adopt and clean other ghats.

Sulabh International, which runs public toilets for decades and has been maintaining some of the ghats in Varanasi, recently only cleaned Assi Ghat, but also excavated at least 25 steps which lay buried under mud for several decades.

The cleaning of the famous Kashi Viswanath Temple was also being done by this organisation. Also the widows at various ashrams in Varanasi are being looked after by Sulabh International, which is taking care of their health and day-to-day requirements.