Clean, free-flowing Ganga by 2020: Centre

Varnasi, Dec 31: The Centre has said that by 2020 the polluted river Ganga would be cleaned and Rs 15,000 crore will be spent on it.

Speaking to reporters here, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, "The Government is confident of getting the holy Ganga river cleaned by 2020. Rs 15,000 crore will be spent for this purpose under the river development fund."

"We will not only ensure 'aviral dhara' (continuous flow of the river stream), as being demanded by several NGOs, but also ensure 'nirmal dhara' (clean and pollution free flow)," the minister said.

Ramesh further said the World Bank has also committed India at least one billion dollars as assistance for cleaning up the heavily polluted Ganga in the first phase.

"This is a project of enormous national importance and I am pleased that the World Bank has come forward to assist us," he added.

OneIndia News