KANPUR: Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti launched Rs 560 crore worth projects including those of intercepting Sisamau drainage and river front development under ambitious Namami Gange programme here today.
According to an official statement, Bharti accompanied by former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, laid foundation stones for intercepting and diverting the Sisamau open drain and networking schemes, costing Rs 63 crore and Rs 397 crore respectively.
Besides, Rs 100-crore will be spent on river front development in Bithoor. The government will also construct 14 ghats and 5 crematoria.
"The government will create market for treated water from sewage treatment plants and effluent treatment plants on hybrid annuity basis. We will follow due procedure. We will not make decisions in haste to see the money invested doesn't go waste," a statement quoted her as saying.
On his part, Joshi, also local MP, said "each one of us is equally responsible for the present state of Ganga".
He urged people to change their attitude towards the river (to see it becomes clean). The senior BJP leader also suggested that a light and sound programme should be prepared depicting history of Ganga to encourage people's participation in Namami Gange programme.
Noted dancer Aarushi and her team presented a dance drama based on river Ganga on the occasion, the statement said.