Centre sanctions Rs 125 cr to combat Ganga erosion

Farakka, Apr 5 (UNI) The Centre has sanctioned Rs 125 crore to combat erosion of the Ganga in Murshidabad and Malda districts.

''An amount of Rs 37 crore has already been allocated,''Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here yesterday.

Earlier Mr Mukherjee, along with Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz and state's Irrigation Minister Subhash Naskar, made an aerial survey of the erosion-affected areas.

Mr Mukherjee said besides erosion, the Kandi Master Plan and Ghatal and Kapileswari Master Plan had already been submitted.

The Farakka barrage authorities had been entrusted with the responsibility of combating the erosion.

Mr Soz said erosion was a matter of concern for his ministry.

''There will be no problem of fund. Each year people in around 109 km border areas are severely affected by the erosion of the river Ganges,'' he added.

UNI XC PL RC HT1752