Uma Bharti launches Ganga Gram programme to curb water pollution

NEW DELHI: To contain river water pollution, Centre today launched Ganga Gram programme in Uttar Pradesh that would treat sewage flow from 1,600 villages located along Ganga banks- in line with Seechewal model of Punjab.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti launched the programme in Puth village in Hapur district of the northern state.

In the first phase of the programme, 200 villages will be covered, a Ministry statement said.

"In these villages, open drains falling into river Ganga will be diverted and alternative arrangements for sewage treatment will be made. The villages will have toilets in every household.

"It is proposed to incur and expenditure of Re 1 crore on every village. These villages will be developed under the Seechewal model," the statement reads.

Seechewal is a village located in Punjab where co-operation of locals has been solicited for water management and waste disposal to keep clean a rivulet, Holy Kali Bein.

As part of its effort to fast-track implementation of the Namami Gange programme from the on-going month, the government also deployed first battalion of Ganga Task Force in Garhmukteshwar yesterday, while three more such companies will be deployed soon at Kanpur, Varanasi and Allahabad.

The task force comprises ex-servicemen who will be residing along the river for monitoring pollution.

"The Ganga Task Force will be deployed on the banks of the river and will ensure industry and civilians do not pollute the river. However, keeping Ganga clean is not the responsibility of our jawans only, but of every Indian living near the river," the Minister said on the occasion there.

She maintained Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream project aimed at cleaning Ganga will not be successful unless every Indian plays his/her role towards the revered river.

Meanwhile, Bharti reviewed progress of Namami Gange programme in Garhmukteshwar with local officials.

The Minister inspected two under-construction sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the Uttar Pradesh town.

She also presented prizes to winners of Namami Gange arts competition at Bhagirathi Inter College in Garhmukteshwar.

Speaking during the event there, the Minister urged children to contribute "significantly" into the success of the ambitious programme.

Among other activities in the town, she inaugurated a Namami Gange photo exhibition and administered pledge to people on keeping the river clean.