Uma Bharti Inspects Progress of Clean Ganga Mission at Varanasi Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has said that sewage treatment capacity of Varanasi will be enhanced from the present 101.8 MLD to 411.8 MLD. This 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 today the Minister said that three new sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be constructed at Dinapur, Goithaha and Ramana at a cost of Rs. 457 crore. The Dinapur STP will prevent the drains falling into river Ganga near Rajghat. Goithaha STP will prevent nine drains falling into river Varuna. Ramana STP will stop the flow of sewage into Ganga through Assi river. Sushri Bharti said her Ministry will bear the entire cost of construction of these STPs. She said new STPs will have the provision for reuse of treated water for agricultural purpose. The Minister said her 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. The beautification programme is likely to start from October this year and the entire cost will be borne by the Central Government. The Minister was accompanied by senior officials of her Ministry, National Mission on Clean Ganga and UP Jal Nigam. Samir/jk
