The executive committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga approved 8 projects with an investment of Rs 638 crore at a meeting held today to reduce river pollution.

As much as Rs 407.39 crore of this amount will be invested in four projects to clean River Hindon which flows into the Yamuna, a major tributary of the Ganga. These projects include the setting up of a sewage treatment plant and a septage co-treatment plant in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh to tackle the source of river pollution.

As part of the preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2025, a project for the development of 7 ghats in Prayagraj was also approved in the meeting.

The ghats include Dashashmedh Ghat, Quila Ghat, Naukayan Ghat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat, Saraswati Ghat, Maheva Ghat and Rasulabad Ghat. These ghats will have amenities such as an area for bathing, change room, universal access ramp, drinking water points, flood lights for night, kiosks, landscaping etc.

A sewerage management project in Bihar to be set up at a cost of Rs 77.39 crore and another in Madhya Pradesh which will see an investment of Rs. 92.78 crore were also approved today. These projects will prevent the flow of polluted water into River Kiul, a tributary of Ganga.

Besides, another project for ghat development was approved for Haridwar, Uttarakhand where Akhand Param Dham ghat will be constructed at a total cost of Rs. 2.12 crore. The project includes construction of Shop/Kiosk (for Ghat pe Haat activities), yoga/meditation lawn, handicap ramp, promenade, platform for cultural and religious activities etc.