PM chairs meeting of National Ganga River Basin Authority

[Hindustani78]

The Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar meeting the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari along with the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar inspecting the vehicles run on alternate fuel, in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari along with the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar inspecting the vehicles run on alternate fuel, in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari along with the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar inspecting the vehicles run on alternate fuel, in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

CM TS Rawat presents a memento to GOC Northern Command Lt Gen Harish Tukhral in Dehradun on Tuesday. Tribune Photograph
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/cm-seeks-army-help-for-rivers-revival/536366.html

Tribune News Service
Dehradun, January 30

A civil-military liaison meeting took place today in which Chief Minister TS Rawat urged the Army to extend support to the state government’s drive to revive the Kosi and Rispana rivers.

Besides, several issues were discussed, including shifting of Army CSD depot, UPNAL building and SIDCUL land at Udham Singh Nagar. Sub-area Commander, Major General JS Yadav, said if the Army decided to shift the UPNAL office, it would make temporary arrangements for housing at the sub-area.

But, for the time being, it was not being shifted. Rawat offered to construct a building for UPNAL if the land was provided by the Army with the promise that the Army would continue to have possession rights on the building and the land.

There was also an agreement for the shifting of the CSD depot that is located near Aaraghar Chowk to Transport Nagar which would aid in decongesting traffic on the EC road On the issue of 200 acres at Udham Singh Nagar, which the Army wants to acquire it, it came to light that the land was given by the UPSIDC to Nepa Limited.

Now this land is with SIDCUL where it proposes to set up an industrial estate. The Chief Minister suggested that a joint survey by the DM of Udham Singh Nagar and MD, SIDCUL, would be undertaken to ascertain the situation. Further, state government officials would also carry out a survey so that a NOC could be given to the Army for transferring 463 acres at Harsil.

The meeting was attended by GOC, North, Lt Gen Harish Thukral, GOC, Sub-area, Major General J S Yadav, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, DGP AK Raturi, Principal Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary Anand Vardhan and other officials from the Army and the state government.

Jammu, January 31
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...national-waterways-by-centre-govt/536662.html

Four major rivers, including Jehlum and Chenab, in Jammu and Kashmir have been declared “national waterways” by the Union Government, paving the way for inland navigation on them to boost water transport and tourism, the state government has said.

“The Union Government has declared four rivers, namely Chenab, Indus, Jhelum and Ravi, as national waterways, which would be developed in a phased manner,” Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary said.

He said the state government was examining the feasibility-cum-detailed project report of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) prepared for inland navigation and construction of horizontal and vertical terminals across these waterways.

“The development of these national waterways will boost the Inland Water Transport, besides, exploit the tourism potential on the national waterways of the state and improve the socio-economic profile of people of these areas,” he said.

Choudhary, speaking on a discussion on the demand for grants of PHE, I&FC departments in the Legislative Assembly last night, said under the Rs 399.29 crore Comprehensive Flood Management Plan for river Jehlum, Phase-I, an amount of Rs 177.20 crore has been utilised against the released amount of Rs 196.12 crore.

He said a dispute with the Punjab government in connection with the construction of Shahpur Kandi Barrage has been resolved and a fresh agreement has been ratified by both the governments.

“To take the project forward, formulation of DPRs of Comprehensive Flood Management Plan of river Jehlum Phase-II worth Rs 1684.60 crore under PMDP has been entrusted to WAPCOS, an empanelled agency of Union Ministry of Water Resources and it has been directed to complete it within three months,” the minister stressed.

To meet future flood challenges in the Jammu region, the Flood Protection to River Chenab project at a cost of Rs 2,314 crore has been conceptualised and the DPR has been submitted to the Union government, he added. PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
01-February, 2018 13:40 IST
Launch of Gobar-Dhan Scheme announced to improve lives of villagers

In an effort to make the villages open defecation free and improving the lives of villagers, the Finance Minister in his budget speech today announced the launch of Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) . The Minister added that this will manage and convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to compost, bio-gas and bio-CNG.

The Finance Minister also announced that 187 projects have been sanctioned under Namami Gange Programme for infrastructure development, reverse surface cleaning, rural sanitation and other interventions at a cost of Rs.16, 713 crore. 47 projects have been completed and remaining projects are at various stages of execution All 4465 Ganga Grams villages on the bank of river have been declared open defecation free.

To achieve the vision of an inclusive society, the Government has identified 115 aspirational districts taking various indices of development in consideration, aiming at improving the quality of life in these districts by investing in social services like health, education, nutrition, skill up gradation, financial inclusion and infrastructure like irrigation, rural electrification, potable drinking water and access to toilets at an accelerated pace and in a time bound manner. These 115 districts are expected to become model of development, the Finance Minister added.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Shipping
02-February, 2018 18:25 IST
Inland Waterways Authority of India signs project agreement with the World Bank for Jal Marg Vikas Project on Ganga

World Bank enters into US $ 375 million loan agreement with DEA
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a project agreement with the World Bank today, even as the latter entered into a US $ 375 million loan agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance for Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP).

The signing of the Agreement follows the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, for the implementation of the US $ 800 million JMVP for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1(River Ganga) from Varanasi to Haldia. Out of the remaining amount, US $ 380 million is to be sourced through the Government of India counterpart funds from budgetary allocation and proceeds from the bond issue. Another US $ 45 million will come from private sector participation under the PPP mode.

The JMVP, which is expected to be completed by March, 2023, is being implemented with the financial and technical support of the World Bank. The project will enable commercial navigation of vessels with the capacity of 1500-2,000 tons on NW-I.

The development and operations of the National Waterway-1 project will lead to direct employment generation to the tune of 46,000 and indirect employment of 84,000 in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal. The project includes development of fairway, Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Haldia and Sahibganj, strengthening the river navigation system, conservancy works, modern River Information System (RIS), Digital Global Positioning System (DGPS), night navigation facilities, modern methods of channel marking, construction of a new state-of-the-art navigational lock at Farakka etc.

The JMVP will result in an environment-friendly, fuel-efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over-dimensional cargo. The National Waterway-1 along with proposed Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and National Highway-2, constitutes the Eastern Transport Corridor of India connecting the National Capital Region (NCR) with the eastern and north-eastern states and will function as a link to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and other east and south-east Asian countries through the Kolkata Port and Indo- Bangladesh Protocol Route.

*****
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Joint Stock Company United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Russia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and engage in Design, Development and Execution of contemporary, State-of-Art vessels for Inland and Coastal Waterways.

CSL will collaborate for development of High-Speed Vessels, River-Sea Cargo Vessels, Passenger Vessels, Dredgers, and other watercrafts for inland waterways and coastal shipping. The MoU will give a push to the Government’s Make-in-India programme, as also its plans to develop eco-friendly and economic transportation along India’s inland waterways and coastal shipping routes under SAGARMALA. Once the infrastructure for water based transport is in place there will be a demand for different kinds of specialized vessels in the near and medium term. The MoU is an effort to get ready to cater to this demand.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Gadkari said, “There is a huge potential in inland waterways, cruise tourism and RO-RO transportation in the country. This collaboration would certainly bring in the much needed product as well as market innovation while harnessing newer technologies.”

CSL has recently incorporated a JV Company called HCSL (Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited) at Kolkata, West Bengal, with plans of setting up an exclusive facility for construction and repair of vessels for inland and coastal waterways. CSL’s capacity augmentation will help capture the growth and employment opportunities that will open up from the development of inland waterways and coastal shipping in the country.

****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
04-February, 2018 13:14 IST

Centre Sanctions New Project to Control Pollution of River Sal at Navelin, Goa

The Centre sanctioned a new project to control pollution in River Sal at Navelim town in Goa. The project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change under the National River Conservation Plan and would cost of Rs. 61.74 cr.. Both the Centre and State will share the cost on 60:40 basis.

Under the project, around 32 kms of sewers will be laid and sewage treatment plant of 3 million litres per day (MLD) constructed. The project is scheduled for completion by January, 2021.

The project will help in reduction of pollution load in the river and improvement in its water quality, besides improving the environment and sanitation in the town.



*********

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
05-February, 2018 16:36 IST
Dangerous Level of Air Pollution In Delhi/NCR

“Air quality is assessed under different Air Quality Index (AQI) categories namely, Good, Moderate, Satisfactory, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. As per data on AQI in Delhi in NCR, there has been an improvement in the overall air quality in year 2017 as compared to the year 2016. The number of Severe, Poor and Very Poor AQI days were less compared to last year (214 vs. 181). Similarly, the number of Good, Satisfactory and Moderate days were greater than last year (151 against 109). Also, the number of days for Severe Category were less in 2017 as compared to that in 2016 (8 against 28).

The Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending; launching of National Air Quality Index; universalization of BS-IV from 2017; leap-frogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards from 1st April, 2018; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; notification of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR etc. CPCB has also deployed 40 field inspection teams for pollution hot spots in Delhi NCR and is also co-ordinating with various agencies for reducing air pollution.

Episodic high pollution event (Severe+) in Delhi NCR commenced on Nov 07, 2017 and ended on Nov 13, 2017. The continuity of episode days in 2017 was almost same as compared to 2016, however, the meteorological conditions were more critical in 2017 in comparison to 2016

Analysis of pollution episodes in Delhi by CPCB suggests that transitional phase towards winter is always critical due to prevailing meteorological conditions of lower mixing height, higher humidity, fall of ambient air temperature coupled with lower temperature difference between maximum and minimum, calm to low wind speed, etc. Ministry of Earth Sciences vide its report on “Scientific Assessment of Delhi Winter Air Quality Crisis " has analysed reasons for episodic high air pollution that commenced on November 07, 2017. As per the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) forecasting model, the pollution contribution of Gulf dust storm on peak pollution day of November 08, 2017 was 40% and from stubble burning was around 25%, thereby indicating key role of external factors in the episodic rise”.

This information was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.



***

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal presenting the awards for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, at a function, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal presenting the awards for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, at a function, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal presenting the awards for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, at a function, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal presenting the awards for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, at a function, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal addressing at the prize distribution ceremony for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal addressing at the prize distribution ceremony for an All India Quiz Competition on Water for Students of Class 6-8, organised by the Central Water Commission, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
08-February, 2018 16:17 IST
“Clean Air Campaign not just a symbolic exercise, but a serious effort to drastically bring down pollution levels”: Union Environment Minister

‘Zero Tolerance to Polluters’, says Dr Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today strongly reiterated that the two-week-long Clean Air Campaign is not just a symbolic exercise, but a serious effort to drastically bring down pollution levels in the national capital. Briefing mediapersons on the Clean Air Campaign to be launched in Delhi on February 10-23. He said that a strong message has to go down that pollution is a serious economic and health issue and is linked to our national image also. The Minister said that efforts to reduce pollution levels will not be restricted to these two weeks only, but taken throughout the year on a continuous basis.

The Centre and Government of Delhi will together launch the intense exercise to address all sources of pollution in Delhi from February 10-23, 2018. This follows from the determination of the Government to tackle the problem in its entirety. Seventy joint teams of officials of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, CPCB, Delhi Government, DPCC, Municipal Corporations and NDMC have already been constituted. These teams will fan out to every administrative division of Delhi, monitor causes of pollution and initiate remedial measures, including penal actions against serious polluters on the spot.

The Environment Minister said that there is a commitment at the highest level in the country to overcome the issue of air pollution, as reflected by the special provision of budgetary resources to tackle stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Delhi.

“The situation has reached a stage, where we cannot tolerate pollution any more and there has to be an emphasis on Zero Tolerance to Polluters,” said the Minister, appealing to everyone to join in this national effort. He also said that abatement of air pollution has to become a mass movement and the Government will take every possible step towards its success. Dr. Harsh Vardhan urged the media to support the campaign and help in spreading awareness among the masses on the issue.

The Minister emphasised that Delhi generates 131 tonnes of dust every day, and controlling it itself would bring down air pollution drastically, as large-scale construction in Delhi-NCR is one of the major causes for increasing dust and pollution in the air. He added that he has been meeting teachers, students and representatives of civil society to spread awareness on the issue of environment protection and also launched a national campaign named Green Good Deeds recently.

The Centre has recently notified dust mitigation norms to contain dust pollution. This mandates –

1. No building or infrastructure project requiring Environmental Clearance shall be implemented without approved Environmental Management Plan inclusive of dust mitigation measures;
2. Roads leading to, or at construction sites must be paved and blacktopped (i.e. metallic roads);
3. No excavation of soil shall be carried out without adequate dust mitigation measures in place;
4. No loose soil, or sand, or Construction & Demolition Waste, or any other construction material that causes dust shall be left uncovered,
5. Wind-breaker of appropriate height i.e. 1/3rd of the building height and maximum up to 10 meters shall be provided;
6. Water sprinkling system shall be put in place; and
7. Dust mitigation measures shall be displayed prominently at the construction site for easy public viewing.

The campaign will also include enforcement of pollution-control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants in Delhi to ensure, it complies with the norms on pollution, etc. Local area development plans to specifically address air pollution will also be worked at and implemented.

In addition to Central and State governments, the drive will also enlist the involvement of Delhi Police, educational institutions, NGOs, industries, apex industrial bodies, Resident Welfare Associations, R&D institutions, etc.

Besides field visits by empowered teams of officials, there will be a series of seminars during the period on mitigation of pollution. These include, workshop on air pollution and health; Air Pollution Abatement Technologies; enlisting support from NGOs, Civil Society, Citizens; Clean Air Day in Universities, Colleges and Schools; a Mini Marathon for Clean Air;enhancing the role of PSUs and industries, apex industrial bodies;launching a national digital forum for discussions on air pollution; Indoor Air Pollution Management and finally, a conference of Environment Ministers of States and Union Territories.

A control room will be set up in CPCB to monitor the daily progress, which will be shared with both the Union and State governments and suggest midway corrections, if required.



***

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Shipping
08-February, 2018 17:09 IST
Status of development of Inland Waterways

As per feasibility reports of the new National Waterways (NWs) completed so far, 36 NWs have been found technically viable for development. Developmental activities have been initiated on eight of these NWs as per the list given below:



Sl.No.
Name of the Waterway
Status

1.
River Barak (NW-16)

Proposal for development at a cost of Rs. 76.01 crore has been approved for Phase-1 of river Barak from Silchar to Bhanga. Dredging for fairway development work in SilcharBhanga stretch has commenced. A consultant has been engaged for upgradation of terminals at Badarpur, Karimganj and new floating terminal at Silchar.

2.
River Gandak (NW-37)

Proposal for development at a cost of Rs. 12.91 crore has been approved. Work Order for R.C. Works for fairway maintenance issued and execution is underway.



Waterways in Goa

3.
NW-27-Cumberjua

4.
NW 68 – Mandovi

5.
NW 111 – Zuari



A proposal for development of these NWs at a cost of Rs. 22.65 crore has been approved. Work is proposed to be executed by Mormugao Port Trust in consultation with Government of Goa. A tripartite MoU is under finalization.

6.
Alappuzha – Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal (NW-9) :

Proposal for development of waterway at a cost of Rs.1.60 crore has been approved. Tendering for night navigation facilities completed. Dredging is proposed departmentally. Departmental dredger already mobilized.

7.
River Rupnarayan (NW-86)

Proposal for development at a cost of Rs. 24.00 crore has been approved. Work awarded for setting up of floating terminal.

8.
Sunderbans Waterways (NW-97)

Proposal for development at a cost of Rs. 18.10 crore has been sanctioned. Tenders for dredging and floating terminals are in process.

The status of DPRs of the remaining 28 NWs is given in the table below. Based on the findings of the DPRs, the contours of their development would be decided.

Sr.No.
Name of the Waterway
States
Length (km)
DPRs received

1
GHAGHRA RIVER (NW-40)
U.P & Bihar
354

2
KOSI RIVER (NW-58)
Bihar
236

3
SUBANSIRI RIVER (NW-95)
Assam
106

4
BAITARNI RIVER (NW-14)
Odisha
48

5
MAHANADI -LUNA RIVER (NW-64)
Odisha
98

6
AMBA RIVER (NW-10)
Maharashtra
45

7
REVADANDA CREEK - KUNDALIKA RIVER (NW-85)
Maharashtra
31

8
MAHI RIVER (NW-66)
Gujarat
247

9
NARMADA RIVER (NW-73)
Gujarat & Maharashtra
226

10
TAPI RIVER (NW-100)
Gujarat
173

11
SUBARNAREKHA RIVER (NW-96)
Odisha
30

12
AJOY (AJAY) RIVER (NW-7)
West Bengal
19

13
ICHAMATI RIVER (NW-44)
West Bengal
63

14
KABINI RIVER (NW-51)
Karnataka
23

15
CHAPORA RIVER (NW-25)
Goa
25

16
DABHOL CREEK - VASHISHTI RIVER (NW-28)
Maharashtra
45

17
MAPUSA - MOIDE RIVER (NW-71)
Goa
27

18
SAVITRI RIVER (BANKOT CREEK) (NW-89)
Maharashtra
45

19
GURUPUR RIVER (NW-43)
Karnataka
10

20
NETRAVATHI RIVER (NW-74)
Karnataka
30

21
KALI RIVER (NW-52)
Karnataka
53

22
SHARAVATI RIVER (NW-90)
Karnataka
29

DPRs under preparation

23
ALAPPUZHA- CHANGANASSERY CANAL (NW-8)
Kerala
29

24
KOTTAYAM-VAIKOM CANAL (NW-59)
Kerala
19

25
Kalyan-Thane-Mumbai Waterway, Vasai Creek and Ulhas river (NW- 53)
Maharashtra
145

26
Tizu and Zungki rivers (NW-101)
Nagaland
42

27
Yamuna (NW-110)
Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
1089

28
Jhelum (NW-49)
Jammu & Kashmir
110


As per RITES Report of 2014 on “Integrated National Waterways Transportation Grid”, the logistic cost of transportation by Inland Water Transport (IWT) mode is lower than rail and road as given below:


Mode
Rail
Road
IWT



Freight (Rs/TKm)

1.36
2.50
1.06



The significant cost saving shows that the promotion of Inland Water Transport (IWT) would have positive impact on the overall logistics cost.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Shipping and Finance Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Water Resources
08-February, 2018 18:03 IST
Time-Line and Funds for Polavaram Project

The approved cost of the Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh is Rs. 16010.45 crore at 2010-11 price level. The irrigation component of the project is Rs.12294.40 crore. Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 562.47 crore was provided for the project under AIBP upto 31st March, 2014.

After the project was declared a National Project, Ministry of Finance informed that it will provide 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component only, for the period starting from 01st April, 2014, to the extent of the cost of the irrigation component on that date. After this, CA of Rs. 3364.16 crore has been released for this project from 01st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2017. During 2017-18 CA of Rs. 979.36 crore has been released and another Rs. 1020.64 Cr. has been sanctioned.

The State Government has informed that they are taking all steps for timely completion of the project duly resolving all hurdles like pending land and R&R issues, finalization of designs, NH crossings, problems at work front etc. As informed by the Water Resource Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, the project is targeted to be completed by 2019.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.



*****
Ministry of Water Resources
08-February, 2018 18:00 IST
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme : Funding in the Last Two Years

During 2016-17, ninety nine ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation Projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme(AIBP) (Including 26 projects of Maharashtra) having potential of 76.03 lakh ha. (8.51 lakh ha. in Maharashtra), have been identified in consultation with states, for completion in phases by December, 2019 along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works.

The water resources projects including their canal system are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments as per their own resources and priority. In order to supplement their efforts the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) provides financial assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

For completion of these projects in a mission mode, funding mechanism through NABARD has been approved by the Government for both Central and State share. Details of Central Assistance (CA) released/sanctioned and State share provided during 2016-17 & 2017-18 (so far) are as under:

(Rs. in cr.)

Scheme

Maharashtra

2016-17
2017-18(so far)

2016-17
2017-18(so far)

Central Assistance

AIBP
379.88
133.67

CAD
15.17
17.59

State Share through NABARD

AIBP

1723.58
1383.39

CAD
-
-


Country as a whole

2016-17
2017-18(so far)

2016-17
2017-18(so far)

Central Assistance

AIBP
3307.95
1424.51


CAD
853.97
533.56

State Share through NABARD


AIBP
3324.51
3318.85


CAD
10.47
-



As reported by concerned State Governments, AIBP works of 18 projects (including 4 projects of Maharashtra) have been completed/almost completed. Further, Central Assistance of Rs. 2514 cr. has been released for Polavaram Project during 2016-17 and Rs. 979.36 cr. during 2017-18. CA of another Rs. 1020.64 cr. has been sanctioned for this project during 2017-18.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

A temporary bund being built near the Ramamangalam bridge at Muvattupuzha to facilitate the construction of a check dam.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...r-supply-to-choondi-plant/article22683800.ece

KOCHI , February 08, 2018 01:44 IST
Updated: February 08, 2018 01:44 IST

Facility will ensure enough water in the drawing well in all seasons

Overcoming all the bureaucratic delays, the Irrigation Department has finally begun work on a permanent check dam at Ramamangalam on the Muvattupuzha river to enable the Choondi Water Treatment Plant to obtain water from the drawing well in all seasons.

A gabion check dam costing over ₹7 crore will be built 50 metres down the Ramamangalam bridge so that the water level in the drawing well will not fall during the summer. A gabion is a cage or box made of iron net that holds together rubble or small rocks. Among the many other uses in civil engineering, it is also used to construct a check dam.

The Choondi plant had been facing the problem of water shortage during summers as the course of the river is away from the drawing well. For the past seven years, several lakhs of rupees have been spent on a temporary bund, which had become a necessity for the plant to draw enough water. Without a bund, it was difficult to draw 22 million litres of water that the plant supplied to the city and outskirts every day.

However, this year too, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) will have to shell out ₹8 lakh to build a temporary bund as the check dam will not be completed before the summer is out. The technical and administrative sanctions for the check dam were given more than a year ago, but the work has begun only now. The Irrigation Department had submitted the results of the soil test and the design for approval about two years ago. It was decided then that the Irrigation Department, rather than the KWA, would execute the project. Since the administrative sanction for the project was given to the KWA, the inter-departmental transfer of the sanction took some time to materialise.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
09-February, 2018 18:35 IST
"Swachh Bharat Sanitation Park” inaugurated in Delhi

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Environmental Sanitation Institute and Tata Trusts, has developed a Sanitation Park which was inaugurated in the Capital today by Union Minister, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti, and Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri ParameswaranIyer.

The Sanitation Park was developed at CGO Complex in New Delhi with an objective to create awareness on various safe technological options. The Park demonstrates various options pertaining to toilet technologies and solid and liquid waste management technologies, with a brief description of these technologies.

The Park also displays information regarding various interventions undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission, capturing the success stories and impact created under the Mission across the country. The park presents the opportunity for the visitors to understand the various components and initiatives of SBM and familiarize themselves with different technologies.

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The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018.

The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti visiting after inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018.

The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti visiting after inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer is also seen.

The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti visiting after inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer is also seen.

The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti visiting after inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018. The Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer is also seen.

The Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti visiting after inaugurating a Sanitation Park, at CGO Complex, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ut...in-water-quality-of-ganga-says-cs/541434.html
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 9

Regular tests being conducted by the state’s pollution control board at several sites on Ganga in Uttarakhand continue to show that the quality of water is very good, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh said today.

While apprising the Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Sinha about the progress made under the Central government’s Namami Ganga Programme, the Chief Secretary said, “At 15 places the water quality was tested for river Ganga by the Pollution Control Board and it was found that at eight places the quality was A category while at seven places the quality of water was categorised as falling in B-category”.


He was conveyed through the video conferencing that the places that reported B-category in-terms of water quality comprised of canals. He was told that the quality of water in the river Ganga was of very good.

The Cabinet Secretary also expressed satisfaction about the improvement in water quality in the towns like Rudraprayag, Devprayag and Rishikesh located on the banks of Ganga.

Significantly, the Uttarakhand government has already declared 132 gram panchayats as ODF.

Utpal Kumar said around 49 factories that were found to be polluting the river have started following the norms.

“While around 13 factories have been sealed as they were found to be violating the pollution norms and another six factories have been warned,” he added.


Singh further said that the tendering process had been started for the construction of 26 MLd STP in Rishikesh and for the sewerage network in Haridwar.

The river front development work was already on between Devprayag to Uttarkashi, Uttarkashi to Maneri and Rudraprayag to Karnprayag and from Karn Prayag to Vishnuprayag.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/research-centre-stone-laid/541433.html

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 9

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat today said that his government was working to develop 607 Nyaya Panchayats into growth centres in order to check migration from hilly areas of the state.

The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering after laying foundation stone for Dr Nityanand Himalayan Research and Study Centre at Doon University, Dehradun. He hoped for completion of construction works for the research centre within a year.

He said the growth centres would be new townships where local produce would be linked to the economy for the overall economic development of the region, thus creating livelihood opportunities. He said the state government was also working on railway, air and all-weather road connectivity in order to develop new tourism destinations.

Rawat also disclosed that Himalaya Vigyan Mahotsava 2018 that would take place at the ONGC Dehradun from May 3 to May 6 would play an important role towards preparing a roadmap for skill development and rural progress.

The Chief Minister also released a brochure for the Himalaya Vigyan Mahotsava on the occasion. Higher Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said his ministry was laying emphasis on ensuring quality education in the higher institutions of learning.

He said 180 days of study had made compulsory in every academic session in colleges and universities.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan lighting the lamp at the launch of the Clean Air Campaign, in New Delhi on February 10, 2018. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Environment and Forest Minister of Delhi, Shri Imran Hussain and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the launch of the Clean Air Campaign, in New Delhi on February 10, 2018. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Environment and Forest Minister of Delhi, Shri Imran Hussain and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan launching the Clean Air Campaign, in New Delhi on February 10, 2018. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Environment and Forest Minister of Delhi, Shri Imran Hussain and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing the gathering at the launch of the Clean Air Campaign, in New Delhi on February 10, 2018. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Environment and Forest Minister of Delhi, Shri Imran Hussain and other dignitaries are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Water Resources
10-February, 2018 18:54 IST
Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Meets in New Delhi

Says Participatory Management a Must for Ensuring Sustainable Development of Ground Water

The Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation met under the Chairmanship of Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi yesterday, to deliberate upon the urgent need for participatory ground water management in the country. Ministers of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Dr Satya Pal Singh also attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Nitin Gadkari said that water shortage is one of the biggest problems that the country faces today. A big reason for this problem is the poor management of available resources, he said. On one hand we over-exploit our rivers, lakes, groundwater and other sources of water, but on the other hand we allow colossal amounts to run off into the sea unutilized. The Minister emphasized the role of participatory water management in addressing the problem of water scarcity in the country. He said, to address this problem, the Government, the civil society and the local level communities must all work together to find ways to preserve , protect and augment the available water resource. Shri Gadkari pointed to examples from states like Maharashtra and Gujarat where such participatory management of water have helped turn water – starved, barren farmlands into fields producing multiple crops in a year.

Through a presentation by Member, Central Ground Water Board informed the Committee that ground water in India provides for about 60 % of the country’s irrigation needs, 85 % of rural drinking water requirements and 50 % of urban water needs. As per 2013 data, 4 percent of Ground Water assessment units in the country are in a critical state and 10 percent in a semi critical state due to over-exploitation and contamination. The reasons for this over exploitation and contamination include increasing demand , change in cropping pattern, scanty rainfall in arid and semi-arid regions, flat rate/ free subsidized electricity for extracting ground water in certain states, rapid pace of urbanization haphazard sewage and waste disposal.

The Central Ground Water Board has identified various key issues regarding ground water management. It has been established that long term sustainability of water resources can be assuted only through holistic management programmes that take care of both demand side and supply side management. Supply side management focuses on management of aquifer systems and recharge of ground water resources while demand side management involves efforts at arresting decline in ground water levels by regulating the withdrawals and increasing water use efficiency. Demand side management is thus dependent on community participation . It requires the community to make efforts at ensuring that water is extracted in a sustainable manner, the cropping pattern is suited to the area, drip / sprinkler irrigation is encouraged , and people of the community resort to water budgeting.

The Committee agreed upon the need to promote and encourage participatory management as a solution to long term, sustainable development of ground water resources in the country. Participatory management recognizes ground water as a Common Property Resource. When this management method is employed to manage ground water the local communities themselves regulate the extraction and use of water, and are also proactive in augmenting and recharging the resource. Participatory management of ground water have resulted in many success stories in the states of Maharashtra (Tamaswada Nalah Treatment), Gujarat (Upleta Taluk, Rajkot), Maharashtra (Beed, Jalna, Satara) Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu (Annavasal) to name a few.

The Government has taken many initiatives to encourage participatory ground water management by facilitating an enabling environment, creating a knowledge base, sensitizing communities and building capacities. The proposed Atal Bhujal Yojana is also an effort in this direction. It is a Rs 6000 crore Central scheme that aims at sustainable ground water management with emphasis on demand side interventions with community participation in 78 districts covering states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
12-February, 2018 17:53 IST
Clean Air Campaign: A Report

1. 1. All the teams have been visiting various locations and taking strict actions in respect of violation. All the violations are being reported to the Control Room that has been set up in the CPCB.

1. 1. Whatsapp groups have also been created to ensure that information is transmitted quickly to the concerned authorities.

1. 1. As directed, the teams are issuing on-the-spot challans wherever serious violations are noticed. 186 challans have been issued today. 604 instances of violations have been noted by the teams today, as detailed in the table below:

Sl.No.

Category

Count



1.

Open Burning

48

2.

Construction and Demolition Activity

332

3.

Vehicular Pollution

8

4.

Traffic Congestion

48

5.

Road Dust

72

6.

Landfill Emission

9

7.

Others

87

8.

Total

604

1. 1. All the teams have been instructed to continue to take strict action against violators in the coming days.

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