OREANDA-NEWS. The Union Budget 2014-15 has set up an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission namely “Namami Gange” with an allocation of Rs. 2037 crore for Ganga Rejuvenation. The plan formulated for Ganga Rejuvenation provides for ‘Short-term’, ‘Medium-term’, and a ‘Long-term’ action plan, incorporating the projects already sanctioned by National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBP). Presently, a World Bank assisted National Ganga River Basin Project (NGRBP) for Rs 7000 crore and a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted Project at Varanasi for Rs. 496.90 crore are under implementation.

National Ganga Monitoring Centre (NGMC) is conceptualized as a Nodal Centre for monitoring the critical aspects of Ganga rejuvenation, such as water and effluent quality at identified suitable locations throughout Ganga, using IT enabled systems, etc.

The Government proposes to free all villages along the banks of the river from open defecation under Namami Gange project.

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has prepared an Action Plan to make 1649 Gram Panchayats along the banks of river Ganga Open Defecation Free at an estimated cost of Rs. 1508.76 crore. Further, 118 urban habitations on both banks of river Ganga have been tentatively identified by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) for extending suitable coverage of sewerage infrastructure

This information was given today by Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in Lok Sabha.