(a) whether the Government has formulated a scheme for beautification
of the banks of river Ganga in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the amount of funds likely to be spent thereon by the Government
in the regard; and
(d) the benefits likely to accrue to the Government and the people therefrom?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND
FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) As per the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) framework,
the States can take up river front management projects for integrated area
development along the banks of river Ganga.
(b) These projects can be taken up by the States with 70% central share on
long stretches of ghats along the river Ganga. These should take into account
all facets of area development including urban planning, architecture, culture
and heritage, religious practices, etc. including environmental improvements
and development of ghats for bathing and religious rites.
(c) The Government has approved a project for conservation and restoration
of water quality of river Ganga with World Bank assistance to be implemented over
a period of 8 years under NGRBA framework. As part of this project, Rs. 500
crores have been earmarked for river front management with 30% share coming from
the States.
(d) The river front management schemes comprising of area development plans
will help in mitigating point source pollution including solid waste dumping and
improve the places along the ghats on Ganga river. Under these schemes, specific
stretches of ghats can be improved by providing public toilets, facilities for
solid waste management and development of ghats for bathing and religious rites,
recreational uses and local economic development for the benefit of local
residents and users of the river.