Bihar's Riverine Infrastructure To Get Big Boost As PM Modi Launches Slew Of Projects under Namami Gange

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was all praise for the state of Bihar as he launched various projects under Namami Gange on Tuesday (16 September).

"The land of Bihar has always been synonymous with invention and innovation," said PM Modi as he laid the foundation and digitally inaugurated three projects under the Namami Gange Mission - two sewerage treatment plants and a river front development scheme.

A 43 million litres per day (MLD) sewerage treatment plant built under Namami Gange project in Beur area under Patna Municipal Corporation as well as sewerage treatment of another 37 MLD in Karamalichak, whose foundation had been laid in October 2017 were inaugurated and the foundation stone laid for the Muzaffarpur River Front Development Scheme. Until now, a total of 11 projects have been approved by the Namami Gange Mission for sewerage system of Patna.

These and other urban infrastructure schemes under the Amrut programme were also announced at a total cost of at a total cost of Rs 543.28 crore, as reported.

As part of the river front development scheme three ghats namely the East Akhara Ghat, Ladder Ghat, Chandwara Ghat of Muzaffarpur city will be developed under this scheme.

According to the release, these river fronts will have unique facilities like changing rooms, pathways, watch towers, information kiosks, toilets, along with attractive signage, security system and adequate lighting.

Speaking at the launch, PM Modi said the villages adjacent to the Ganges will be made Ganga Village and the dirty water from these villages (going through the drains) will be stopped from entering Ganga.

"Bihar is the land of historical cities which have rich heritage of over thousand years. In ancient India, economically, culturally and politically rich cities prospered around Ganga valley. Cleanliness of Ganga water has a direct effect on crores of people," he said.

The PM also launched water supply projects under the Amrut scheme in Siwan and Chhapra that will assure citizens access to clean drinking water round the clock.

The PM also mentioned the dolphin project and said the Ganga Dolphin would be one of its major beneficiaries. "The conservation of the Ganges dolphin is very important for the conservation of the river Ganga. The entire extension of Ganga from Patna to Bhagalpur is the abode of the dolphin. Therefore, Bihar will not only benefit from Project Dolphin but will also boost tourism along with bio-diversity in river Ganga," added the PM.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar speaking at the launch emphasized the need for keeping the river clean and the role of these projects in that direction. " Where I was born in Bakhtiyarpur, only one or two wells had clean water. All of us have struggled a lot for clean water, so it is our responsibility to keep the water of river Ganga clean," elaborated Kumar, assuring the quick completion of the various SWT plants in Bihar.

The PM also praised the role of the state in the nation's progress. “Bihar has a major contribution in nation building. Lakhs of engineers from Bihar are taking the development work of the country to new heights," he said.