‘Clean Ganga’ to kick off May 15

With the National Democratic Alliance government completing two years in office later this month, one of its prominent pre-poll promises, of cleaning the Ganga, is likely to be officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by May 15.

While entry-level activities relating to the ambitious Namami Gange programme are already underway, execution of the comprehensive action plan aimed at freeing the river of waste and ensuring its unfettered flow is expected to be launched around May 15, official sources said.

The water resources ministry, which is executing the ambitious programme, may also invite Mr Modi for an event to be held in October this year to mark the completion of the first leg of the cleaning operation.

“Entry-level activities are already underway at many places along the river. But implementation of the comprehensive action plan will take off sometime around May 15. The government intends to clean the river by July 2018,” the source said.

Sources said, Central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) roped in for “condition assessment” of existing infrastructure, including ghats along the Ganga and their capacity utilisation, have completed their studies.

Engineers India Ltd (EIL), National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), WAPCOS Ltd, National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd (NPCC) and Engineering Projects India Ltd are the CPSUs the government has engaged for the purpose.

They said the CPSUs will begin surface cleaning of the Ganga’s mainstream after the monsoon and that the effect of phase-I activities under the project will become visible in October this year.