'UN ranked it among top 10': Experts laud 'Namami Gange' in Varanasi

May 31, 2024

Experts have lauded the initiatives under the Namami Gange programme aimed at rejuvenating the Ganga River in Varanasi. The programme has made significant strides in connecting people with the river and improving water quality through various measures, including sewerage infrastructure. Dr. Vinod Tare, an emeritus professor at IIT Kanpur, highlighted the impact of the Namami Gange on public engagement and infrastructure. "The biggest thing that Namami Gange has impacted is connecting people with the river. Ghats have been redeveloped at several locations and there is improvement… If you ask me particularly about Varanasi, almost all the sewage that is generated has been tapped, diverted, and treated. I would rate it a 7-8 out of 10," he remarked. According to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Namami Gange Mission, 17 projects are in various stages in Varanasi at a total cost of Rs 1469 crore. To make the Ganga stream clean and uninterrupted, effective plans related to sewerage are being worked on in Varanasi.