Jharkhand to be developed as model case for Ganga rejuvenation

New Delhi, July 28: Jharkhand will be developed as a model case for Ganga's rejuvenation intervention under 'Clean Ganga' campaign as results can be achieved faster owing to its shorter length there, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vijay Goel made a statement in this regard while responding to a question.

"No priority is given to any state in particular. However, it is proposed to develop Jharkhand as model case for Ganga rejuvenation intervention. This is because a) that length of 78 kilometre can be easily covered, and b) results can be achieved faster," Goel said in his reply.

The Minister though said that all the five Ganga basin states namely Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand "in general" are extending cooperation to execution of Namami Gange programme.

To another question, he said between Haridwar and Varanasi, government has sanctioned 19 projects till date at an estimated cost of Rs 2427.51 crore. These include 17 projects related to sewage, sanitation and river front development.

"These projects will create a facility of 394 MLD of STP capacity and laying of 1269.17 km sewerage pipeline. Out of these, 5 projects are completed which has created 123 MLD of STP capacity and 447 km of sewerage line has been laid already. Remaining projects will be completed by 2020," he said.

PTI