More than Rs 2,500 cr sanctioned for cleaning Ganga: Jayanthi

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Amid growing clamour to protect the Ganga, Union Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Sunday said the Centre was committed to saving the river and has sanctioned projects worth more than Rs 2,500 crore for the purpose.

"The Centre is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a clean Ganga. Projects worth Rs 2,677 crore have already been sanctioned for the purpose. Of these projects, Rs 1,342 crore has been earmarked for setting up of sewage treatment plants and other related works in Uttar Pradesh," Natarajan said.

She said that her ministry would launch a public awareness campaign for a pollution-free Ganga ahead of the Kumbh Mela.

The minister, who holds the forest and environment portfolio, was speaking at a function organised at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

She also flagged-off the fourth phase of 'Ganga Punardarshan', a marathon rafting expedition by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

The six-phase expedition, which commenced on April 24 at Gomukh, is expected to conclude later this month at 'Ganga Sagar' island pilgrimage centre in West Bengal.