First phase of Eco projects in 6 ancient towns near over

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) The first phase of Eco-City programme is in the advance stage of completion.

The programme was taken up by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to bring visible change in the environment of six towns of cultural and religious importance---Kottayam, Tirupati, Ujjain, Puri, Thanjavur and Vrindavan, the Environment Ministry said.

In Kottayam, rejuvenation of Mudar river and renovation of Kacherikadavu Boat Jetty Canal were taken up. The Canal had become highly polluted.

The work in Ujjain was related to improvement of the area around Mahakal Temple and the cleaning and embankment of Rudra Sagar, which had become highly silted and polluted with sewage.

The project has been completed, but the work on traffic and transportation, road improvement, drainage, laying of the water supply line for Rudra Sagar, underground electric cabling and plantation as well as landscaping was still on.

The Eco-city Programme in Vrindavan aimed at improvement of the core-zone of the city, and of two kms stretch from Kaliadaha Ghat to Kesi Ghat on 'Parikrama Path' and Banke Bihari Temple surroundings.

This also includes the improvement around Rangnath Temple. The Vrindavan Municipality has identified funding agencies to meet the costs.

The core area of the town around Govinda Raja Swami Temple have been improved in Tirupati. The activities carried out are covering storm water drains in the northern, southern and western sides of the temple, connecting water pipeline from Konneru to Narshimha Tirtha and cleaning and de-silting of drains in the core area.

Work in Puri was related to improvement of facilities in the Jagannath Temple premises which included improvement of drinking water in Lion's gate, of public toilet near 'Narendra tank' and construction of cement concrete drains with cover slabs along the roads and renovation of three of the religious ponds.

Besides, garages and automobile workshops will be shifted and existing solid waste disposal facility will be modernised.

In Thanjavur town renovation of old tanks have been taken up.

Various works are on to protect usable aquifers from further degradation.

UNI NAZ DS HS1345