Rs 1,927-crore plan to clean Nag river; first instalment of Rs 62 crore sanctioned

The administration has taken a major step to free the Nag river, regarded as Nagpur's identity and historic heritage, from pollution. About Rs 1,927 crore will be spent on the plan to clean the river again. The aim is for the river to regain its old glory.

About Rs 62 crore has been cleared as the first instalment to put the work on the ground. The amount will be spent on the initial phase and will lay the foundation of the large project.

The money will be sent through a system called SNA-SPARSH, which has been described as modern and transparent. The aim is to end administrative delays and funding hurdles entirely. The environment department has decided that transactions will be made directly through the Reserve Bank of India, so that the sanctioned amount can go straight into development work without any obstruction.

The break-up of the shares is as follows. The Centre will give Rs 37.18 crore, a 60 per cent contribution. The Maharashtra government's share is Rs 15.49 crore, or 25 per cent, while the Nagpur Municipal Corporation will give Rs 29.29 crore, a 15 per cent contribution.

In addition, the Centre will directly bear the entire expenditure of more than Rs 78 crore on the consultancy agency. The remaining development work will be completed according to the fixed shares.

To keep sewage from mixing with the river, emphasis is being laid on sewage treatment plants (STPs). There is also a plan to beautify both banks of the river, and firm arrangements are being made to stop dirty water from flowing into it.

Experts believe that if the plan is implemented on the ground, pollution in the Nag river will go down and the city's groundwater level will also improve.

Local residents and environmentalists have said the administration should ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time, so that Nagpur residents get a clean, beautiful and pollution-free Nag river as soon as possible.