Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has kicked off an international road trip to draw investment and technology sharing into the government’s Clean Ganga Mission in London this week.
The visit had already resulted in ₹500 crore of pledges for investment for the development of the riverfront from a number of U.K.-based Indian business leaders, including Anil Agarwal, the Hindujas, Prakash Lohia and Ravi Malhotra.
“I know how to get this done,” said Mr. Gadkari, Minister for Ganga Rejuvenation, River Development, Water Resources, Highways, Shipping and Transport, of the ambitious programme to clean the river. He dismissed criticism over the length of time taken by the project, insisting that doing it as an integrated conservation mission was key to its success. He said he was being “cautious” in his assessment that in two years there would be a considerable reduction in carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels.
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The government is keen to enlist private sector partners in the four-phase project. During his visit, he held productive talks with a number of Indian-origin business people in London, who had pledged considerable financial support for the initiative. While Anil Agarwal had made a commitment towards the development of the Patna riverfront, Forsight’s Ravi Malhotra will take up development at Kanpur, the Hindujas will lead development of the ghats and other amenities at Haridwar and Prakash Lohia of Indorama will take on Ganga Sagar in Kolkata.
“We wholeheartedly appeal to all Indian companies, NRIs and the diaspora to participate in the Namami Gange,” Mr. Gadkari said.
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MoUs signed
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During the trip, on which he is accompanied by U.P. Singh, Director-General of the National Mission for the Clean Ganga, Mr. Gadkari also signed memoranda of understanding with five British companies for technology sharing and investment, including Celtic Renewables, a Scottish biofuel company, Lyndon Water, a water treatment firm, Mebifarm, NVH Technologies and Arkatap.