In Pics: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 6 mega development projects in Uttarakhand; Check all

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (September 29, 2020) inaugurated six mega development projects in Uttarakhand under the Namami Gange Mission through video conference. The inauguration of six projects included the construction of a 68 MLD STP and up-gradation of the existing 27 MLD at Jagjeetpur in Haridwar, the construction of an 18 MLD STP at Sarai in Haridwar and the inauguration of 68 MLD Jagjeetpur project that also marks the completion of the first sewerage project taken up on hybrid annuity model of PPP.  

He also inaugurated a 26 MLD STP at Lakkadghat in Rishikesh, a 5 MLD STP at Chorpani, and two STPs with capacities of 1 MLD and 0.01 MLD at Badrinath. Besides these, PM Modi also inaugurated the Ganga Avalokan Museum, the first of its kind on the River Ganga at Haridwar. He also unveiled the logo of Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis under Jal Jeevan Mission’.  

(Photo: www.pib.gov.in)  

Prime Minister Modi lauded the Trivendra Singh Rawat-led Government of Uttarakhand for providing drinking water connections to more than 50 thousand families even during the period of Corona in the last 4-5 months. He 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. The Prime Minister 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. Prime Minister 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. PM Modi referred to the beautification of the hundreds of ghats at the Ganges and the development of a modern riverfront at Haridwar. The Prime Minister said apart from the cleanliness of the Ganges, the Namami Gange is focussing on the development of the economy and environment of the entire Gangetic belt. He said the Government has made comprehensive plans to promote Organic farming and Ayurvedic farming. Prime Minister said that the project would also strengthen the Mission Dolphin which was announced on the August 15 this year.

(Photo: ANI)

Prime Minister Modi also released a book named “Rowing Down the Ganges”. Describing the book, he said it explains in details how the River Ganges stands as a glowing symbol of our Culture, Faith and Heritage. This book is co-published by National Mission for Clean Ganga & Wildlife Institute of India and is an attempt to merge the biodiversity and culture of the Ganga River. It conceptualizes the story of the Ganga as what one would see when one rows down from Gaumukh, its origin, to Ganga Sagar, the last point before entering the sea.  

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated “Ganga Avalokan”, the first museum on Ganga dedicated to showcasing the culture, biodiversity and rejuvenation activities done in Ganga river. The museum is located at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar. Prime Minister said the Ganga Avalokan Museum would be a special attraction to pilgrims and it would further enhance the understanding of the heritage associated with Ganga.

(Photo: www.pib.gov.in)  

Prime Minister Modi 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, PM Modi said that the Jal Jeevan Mission aims at providing every rural household in the country with the piped-water connection. He expressed that the new logo of the Mission will continue to inspire the need to save every drop of water. Referring to the Margadarshika, 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. He said the Mardarshika Guidelines will guide the members of the Water Committee and Gram Panchayats in taking the right decisions.

(Photo: www.pib.gov.in)  

PM Modi said that the government moved forward with a four-pronged strategy to achieve its objective. First - started laying a network of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent the wastewater from flowing into the Ganges. Second - The STPs were built by keeping in mind the demands for the next 10 - 15 years. Third - By making around hundred big towns/cities and five thousand villages along the River Ganga Open Defecation Free (ODF) and fourth - By making an all-out effort to stop the pollution in the tributaries of River Ganga.  

Prime Minister said owing to fragmentation of work - on an important subject like water- into various ministries and departments, led to a lack of clear guidelines & coordination. As a result, problems related to irrigation and drinking water continued to persist. He lamented that even after so many years of independence, piped drinking water has not reached more than 15 crore households in the country. PM Modi said the Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed to bring in synergy and give impetus to dealing with these challenges.  He said the ministry is now engaged in the mission of ensuring access to piped drinking water to every house in the country. Today, about 1 lakh households are being provided piped water supply connections every day under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He said drinking water connections have been provided to 2 crore families of the country in just 1 year.

(Photo: www.pib.gov.in)  

The Prime Minister said unlike the previous programmes, Jal Jeevan Mission adopts a bottom to top approach, where the users and Paani Samitis (Water Committees) in the villages envision the whole project from its implementation to maintenance and operation. He said the mission has also ensured that at least 50% of the members of the water committee would be women. Prime Minister said a special 100-day campaign is being launched on October 2 this year under the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure drinking water connection to every school and Anganwadi in the country.   

PM Modi highlighted the importance of keeping the River Ganga clean as it plays a significant role in sustaining the lives of about 50 per cent 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. Prime Minister said this new thinking and approach had made the River 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.

(Photo: www.pib.gov.in)