Experts' panel for resuming cleaning of Kanh and Saraswati rivers

INDORE: The district administration will constitute a committee of experts to resume cleaning work of 72 km long stretch of Kanh and Saraswati rivers.
“A committee of experts led by ADM Kailash Wankhede will prepare an action plan for cleaning both major rivers including removing slits, increasing width by removing encroachments from its banks and carrying out beautification works,” collector Lokesh Jatav said during a review meeting of implementations of National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) instructions for cleaning of the water bodies.
The collector said that Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), Indore Development Authority (IDA) and industry department will play a vital role in river cleaning work while help from social organizations, students and experts will be sought in completing the task.
“Around 22, out of total 72 km stretch of both the rivers pass through IMC’s limit. The civic body is constructing sewage treatment plants at the estimated cost of Rs 16 crore to clean water of Saraswati and Kanh while work to divert 18 drains, which pollute the water bodies, will soon be started” Jatav said.
As decided, no permission of construction within 9 meter range of the rivers will be provided while number of sewage water plants will be increased. “IMC has made a plan to spend Rs 270 crore on cleaning and beautification of Kanh,” the collector said.
He said that IMC has been working on cleaning Kanh river for the past 10 years. During this, the civic body has been repairing old stop dams of the river. IMC has so far spent around Rs 25 crore on erecting iron nets, installing fountains, repairing check dams and carrying out other work of cleaning and beautification of the river. Social worker Kishore Kodwani said, “The work being carried out for cleaning and beautification of the rivers is insufficient. A proper planning and better execution can only yield desired results. Local ministers and representatives of the government have assured to pay attention to improve poor condition of the water bodies”.