NEW DELHI: A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his constituency, Union water minister Uma Bharti Wednesday inspected the progress of Clean Ganga Mission in the holy city.
The minister said that sewage treatment capacity of Varanasi will be enhanced from the present 101.8 MLD to 411.8 MLD and it will be sufficient to cater to the population the city up to the year 2035.
After inspecting the progress of Clean Ganga Mission from Assi Ghat to Dashashwamedha Ghat in Varanasi, she said that three new sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be constructed at Dinapur, Goithaha and Ramana at a cost of Rs 457 crore.
Central government will bear the entire cost of construction of these STPs and new STPs will have the provision for reuse of treated water for agricultural purpose.
The ministry has taken up restoration and beautification of Ghats along the river Ganga at Varanasi on priority basis.
"Under this programme 24 hour cleaning of Ghats, construction of bio-toilets and proper illumination of Ghats, plantation of flowers and collection of waste flowers and other pooja material from the river will be taken up," said Bharti.
The beautification programme is likely to start from October this year and the entire cost will be borne by the Central Government. The government has already come out with tenders inviting companies and private players for adoption and maintenance of ghats in 11 towns in five states.