Naag River Project Gets Green Light with Rs 500 Crore Funding
Nagpur, India- The Union Budget presented in Parliament on Tuesday has earmarked significant funds for key projects in Nagpur, offering a boost to the city's infrastructure and environmental initiatives.
Among the highlights, a substantial allocation of Rs 500 crore has been set aside for the Naag River Pollution Abatement Project. This long-awaited funding is expected to kickstart efforts to mitigate pollution in the river, which has suffered from severe contamination due to sewage and industrial waste. The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) has recently approved a revised plan for the project, which now stands at an estimated cost of Rs 2,702 crore, up from the initial Rs 2,117.54 crore approved two years ago.
The delay in finalizing the draft plan, partly due to significant changes suggested by the Japanese government, has increased the project's overall cost. However, with the new allocation, the path is now clear for the finalization of the Project Management Consultant (PMC), who will oversee the implementation of the pollution abatement measures. The plan involves constructing sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the riverbanks, which will treat wastewater before it is released back into the river, aiming to restore its former condition.
In addition to the environmental focus, the budget has also allocated Rs 683 crore for the second phase of the Nagpur Metro project. This phase is crucial as it involves laying 43.8 km of new track to better connect the metropolitan region with the city. The overall cost of this phase is estimated at Rs 6,708 crore. With tenders for the new phase already awarded, this allocation, coupled with last year's Rs 472.88 crore, will help advance the project significantly. The Nagpur Metro project is being executed in collaboration with the Maharashtra Government and includes a loan component from the German Government.
Another major initiative in the budget is a special package for irrigation projects aimed at addressing agrarian distress in the backward districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. This year's budget has earmarked Rs 600 crore for these projects, continuing the momentum from the previous year's revised allocation of Rs 700 crore. This funding is crucial for completing various small and medium-sized irrigation projects in the region. Among these, the Gosikhurd project is particularly noteworthy, as it involves several lift irrigation schemes commissioned by the Maharashtra Government to distribute water from the dam.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has been instrumental in pushing for these developments, especially the Naag River project. He recently convened a meeting with World Bank officials, the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and the Municipal Commissioner to finalize the project details.
With these significant allocations, Nagpur is set to witness considerable advancements in its environmental sustainability, urban connectivity, and agricultural infrastructure, promising a brighter future for the city and its residents.
