Action plan for pollution free Narmada
Bhopal. The Narmada Valley Development Department will chalk out an action plan to free Narmada River from pollution with the assistance of various departments. The process of freeing Narmada from pollution will commence from its place of origin Amarkantak. Urban Administration and Development Department has chalked out a Rs. five crore eight lakh plan for sewer disposal at Amarkantak. For curbing use of fuelwood, an extension counter of LPG has been established there with the assistance of district administration. This information was given at a review meeting of Narmada Water Purification Scheme in the presence of Urban Administration & Development Minister Shri Babulal Gaur, Environment Minister Shri Jayant Malaiya, Forest Minister Shri Sartaj Singh, Revenue Minister Shri Karan Singh Verma and Minister of State for Narmada Valley Development Shri Kanhaiyalal Agrawal here today.
The meeting was informed that NVDA will chalk out Narmada Action Plan in a year. Cooperation of Centre will be sought in this work. Saplings will be planted along the banks of Narmada for water purification. Forest Department will undertake plantations in forest areas and give guidance for plantation in non-forest areas. Markers will be installed for demarcation of limits of Narmada. Various industrial units will plant 12 lakh saplings on the banks of Narmada River which they will nurture and conserve for three years. Plantation work has begun from Omkareshwar.
Total length of Narmada River from its place of origin Amarkantak to Arabian Sea is 1312 kilometers including 1077 kilometers in Madhya Pradesh. Narmada’s catchment area is three lakh square kilometers. Narmada Valley Development Department has started the work of developing Narmada Parikrama Path with the help of other departments. At every 16th kilometer on this two meter wide pathway, there will be arrangements for stay and other basic facilities for devotees.
The Urban Administration Department has chalked out a Rs. 1300 crore scheme for Narmada water purification through 53 urban bodies. Besides extending necessary assistance in maintaining originality of Narmada Mandir at Amarkantak, the government is chalking out plans to develop ghats, mela ground, budget hotel, Dharmshala and transportation facility for tourists.
