Namami Gange to be complete by Dec 2019, tortoise sanctuary no threat for Varanasi ghats: Gadkari

VARANASI: Union river development and Ganga rejuvenation minister Nitin Gadkari rejected claims that tortoise sanctuary in Varanasi is posing threat to mythological ghats.
However, he claimed that because this sanctuary is irrelevant there are recommendations to relocate it somewhere in downstream. Reacting over the expert reports that were forwarded by the district administration to the government of India ministries including forest and environment in which it was mentioned that ban on mining had led to heavy sedimentation and change of stream causing erosion under ghats steps, he said that separate studies have given different outcomes. This sanctuary has no adverse effect on the ghats. It also not seems that buildings on ghats have threat from it, said Gadkari.

Gadkari along with his cabinet colleague Uma Bharti, who held ministry of water resource and Ganga rejuvenation before him, had convened a press conference through video conferencing for 5 centres including Varanasi, Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur and Patna on Thursday. In his address he said, “There are hue and cry that nothing had been done to make river Ganga clean. Those, who are making such claims, should know it that works on Rs 20000 crore Namami Gangey project is now being done with accelerated pace. 70%-80% works will complete by March 2019 while remaining works of project would be done by December 2019.”

“Lok Sabha polls are scheduled in April and May 2019. In view of it 75% payment to working agencies will be ensured by March 2019 to avoid hampering of the works during poll process”, said Gadkari when asked about spending of very low amount of the sanctioned budget of this mega projects so far despite its launching three years back. He said that as per the democratic setup maximum works of it have to be done by the state concerned despite funding by the center. Delay in land acquisition and poor performance of agencies engaged by the states lingered the basic works, he said adding, 20% of sanctioned budget had been spent till February while 60% more is expected to be invested by year end.

Highlighting the progress in Namami Gange project including on-going constructions of STPs along Ganga and tributaries, survey of remaining points of liquid waste discharge, solid waste management, riverfront development, aquatic animal conservation, action initiated against tanneries and other industrial units he said that all details have been made available on site of Namami Gange. Gadkari, who also holds water resource and shipping ministry, said that dredging of river under Varanasi-Haldia waterway project will start very soon.

On the issue of uninterrupted flow Ganga water in the river Gadkari said, “Making Ganga `Nirmal’ (pollution free) is first priority of the government. The scientific and technical studies for Aviral (uninterrupted) flow is also progressing to ensure availability of sufficient water in river even in the month of May. Regarding the national river law, he said, maximum works to make this law has been completed and exercise is on to give it final shape.