Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (Sep 29) inaugurated 6 mega development projects in Uttarakhand under the Namami Gange Mission today through video conference. With the commissioning of the projects the sewage treatment capacity of Uttarakhand has increased 4 times in the last 6 years.
The projects inaugurated include an all-new 68 MLD (million litres per day) sewage treatment plant (STP), up-gradation of an existing 27 MLD STP at State’s Jagjeetpur region in Haridwar, and another newly constructed STP in Haridwar’s Sarai with a capacity of 18 MLD.
In addition to these, the PM also inaugrated a 26 MLD STP at Lakkadghat of Rishikesh, a 5 MLD STP will be inaugurated at Chorpani, and two STPs with 1 MLD and 0.01 MLD capacities in Badrinath.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of keeping the River Ganga clean as it plays a significant role in sustaining the lives of about 50 percent of the country’s population from its origin in Uttarakhand till West Bengal.
The Prime Minister termed the Namami Gange Mission as the largest integrated river conservation mission which not only aims at the cleanliness of River Ganga but also focuses on comprehensive upkeep of the River. The PM siad that new thinking and approach had made the River Ganga return back to life. Had the old methods been adopted, the situation would have been equally bad today. Old methods lacked public participation and foresight.
The Prime Minister said the government moved forward with a four pronged strategy to achieve its objective.
- First- started laying a network of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent the waste water from flowing into the Ganges.
- Second, The STPs were built by keeping in mind the demands for the next 10 – 15 years.
- Third – By making around hundred big towns/cities and five thousand villages along the River Ganga Open Defecation Free (ODF).
- Fourth – By making an all-out effort to stop the pollution in the tributaries of River Ganga.
The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that under Namami Gange, projects worth more than Rs 30,000 Crores are either in progress or have been completed.
The Prime Minister listed the efforts taken to close more than 130 drains in Uttarakhand from flowing into the River Ganga. He referred specially to the Chandreshwar Nagar drain which turned as an eyesore to visitors and rafters at Muni Ki Reti, in Rishikesh. He applauded the closing of the drain and the construction of a four storied STP at Muni Ki Reti.
Prime Minister said that as it was experienced by the pilgrims at Prayagraj Kumbh, the visitors to Haridwar Kumbh would also experience the clean and pure status of the River Ganga at Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister referred to the beautification of the hundreds of ghats at Ganges and the development of a modern riverfront at Haridwar.
The Prime Minister said apart from the cleanliness of the Ganges, the Namami Gange is focussing on development of the economy and environment of the entire Gangetic belt. He said the Government has made comprehensive plans to promote Organic farming and Ayurvedic farming.
Prime Minister said that the project would also strengthen the Mission Dolphin which was announced on the 15th of August this year.