The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved eight new projects worth approximately Rs 6.38 billion as part of its ongoing river rejuvenation programme. These projects include four for the cleaning of the River Hindon, a tributary of the River Yamuna, in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, and one for the construction of seven ghats in the city of Prayagraj as part of preparations for the 'Mahakumbh' there in 2025.
The approved Shamli projects were designed to stop the flow of contaminated water into the Krishni River. One of the main tributaries of Hindon, Krishni, carries pollution from the Shamli district into the Priority I (extremely) contaminated river stretch that is the River Hindon. This is fantastic news for the area, and it makes me feel fulfilled. According to Sudhir Panwar, a professor at Lucknow University, "I studied the pollution of the Hindon, Krishni, and Kali rivers while serving on the UP Planning Commission under the previous Akhilesh Yadav-led administration and submitted a report on remedial measures in 2016.
The four projects in Shamli district include construction of 5 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), 5 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Babri and Bantikhera villages; MLD STP, 5 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, I&D and other works in Banat town; 40 MLD STP, 20 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, I&D and other works in Shamli town; and 10 MLD STP, 10 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, I&D and other works in Thanabhawan town.
Dashashmedh Ghat, Quila Ghat, Naukayan Ghat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat, Saraswati Ghat, Maheva Ghat, and Rasulabad Ghat are among the ghats that will be built as part of the Mahakumbh preparations in Prayagraj. According to a statement from the Jal Shakti (water resources) ministry, "These ghats will have amenities such as areas for bathing, change rooms, universal access ramps, drinking water points, flood lights for night time, kiosks, landscaping, etc.
The executive committee (EC) of the NMCG approved the final three projects at its 48th meeting, including two sewerage management projects in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh and a ghat development project for Haridwar, Uttarakhand, where the "Akhand Param Dham" ghat will be built.