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