PM Modi's 'Namami Gange' project commences: 10 things to know

The Modi government on Thursday commenced execution of its ambitious 'Namami Gange' programme with the launch of 300 projects including those of STP installations aiming to clean the holy river and ensuring its unfettered flow.

Here are 10 things that you must know about it:

1: The projects on entry-level activities such as ghat and crematoria construction/repair, river front beautification, installation and repair of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and others work will be launched simultaneously from over 104 locations initially in all five basin states of Ganga.

2: The project will cover 8 states, 47 towns and 12 rivers under the project.

3: Uma Bharti will also launch an application to monitor the level of pollution in the rivers.

4: Over Rs. 20,000 crore has been sanctioned in 2014-2015 budget for the next 5 years.

5: Over 1,632 gram panchayats on the banks of Ganga to be made open defecation-free by 2022.

6: Several ministries are working with nodal Water Resources Ministry for this project includes – Environment, Urban Development , Shipping, Tourism & Rural Development Ministries.

7: Expansion of coverage of sewerage infrastructure in 118 urban habitations on banks of Ganga.

8: Tenders for 10 STPs based on hybrid annuity model will be floated by July 31.

9: On the basis of recommendations of the Forest Research Institute, trees will be planted in 2,700 hectare areas along the holy river during the current financial year.

10: In previous attempts to clean Ganga, the major was Ganga Action plan which was launched in two phase manner by then PM Mr. Rajiv Gandhi:
•    Phase I: Covered 25 Ganga towns in three states over Rs 862.59 crore were spent.
•    Phase II: Covered 59 towns in five states over Rs 505.31 cr were spent.