Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six mega development projects in Uttarakhand under the Namami Gange Mission today via video conferencing.
PM Modi also inaugurated the Ganga Avalokan Museum, the first of its kind on the River Ganga at Haridwar. He released the book “Rowing Down the Ganges” and the new logo for the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Prime Minister also unveiled the ‘Margadarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis under Jal Jeevan Mission’ (Guidelines for the Village Panchayats and Water Committees) on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said the Jal Jeevan Mission aims at providing every rural household in the country with the pipedwater connection. Modi said that the new logo of the Mission shall continue to inspire the need to save every drop of water.
Referring to the Margdarshika, the Prime Minister said that they are equally important for the Gram Panchayats, people living in rural areas as well as for the Government machinery.
PM highlighted the importance of keeping the River Ganga clean as it plays a significant role in sustaining the lives of about 50 percent of the country’s population from its origin in Uttarakhand till West Bengal.
He termed the Namami Gange Mission as the largest integrated river conservation mission which not only aims at the cleanliness of river Ganga but also focuses on comprehensive upkeep of the river. PM said this new thinking and approach had made the Ganga return back to life. Had the old methods been adopted, the situation would have been equally bad today. Old methods lacked public participation and foresight.
Modi highlighted the fact that under Namami Gange, projects worth more than Rs 30,000 Crores are either in progress or have been completed. He pointed out that due to these projects the sewage treatment capacity of Uttarakhand has increased 4 times in the last 6 years.
PM listed the efforts taken to close more than 130 drains in Uttarakhand from flowing into the River Ganga. He referred especially to the Chandreshwar Nagar drain which turned as an eyesore to visitors and rafters at Muni Ki Reti, in Rishikesh. He applauded the closing of the drain and the construction of a four storied STP at Muni Ki Reti.
The PM said that as it was experienced by the pilgrims at Prayagraj Kumbh, the visitors to Haridwar Kumbh would also experience the clean and pure status of the River Ganga at Uttarakhand.
Modi said apart from the cleanliness of the Ganga, the Namami Gange is focusing on the development of the economy and environment of the entire Gangetic belt.