“Centre rejected sloppy project proposal to clean Nambul”

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | July 24

Nambul river is among 302 polluted rivers in the country, based on Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BoD) levels, a key indicator of organic pollution. The list has been prepared by the Central Pollution Control Bureau in association with respective state pollution control boards. 

This was stated by the minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan during the Rajya Sabha question hour while answering to a query raised by the state MP, K. Bhabananda Singh. 

The minister further informed the House that conceptual project report for ‘Watershed Treatment & Clean-up in Nambul and Waishel Maril Basins, Manipur’ amounting to Rs 452.44 crore was received from the state government in May 2015.

The project report was returned back to the state government in the same month itself as it was not prepared as per the guidelines of National River Conservation Plan. Thus, no funds have been released by the ministry to the state government for pollution abatement of the said river, added the union minister.

Dr Vardhan continued that it is the responsibility of the state governments to set up proper facilities for collection, treatment and disposal of sewage being generated and ensure that untreated sewage does not fall into the rivers or other water bodies.

He said the ministry is supplementing the efforts of the state government in pollution abatement in identified stretches of various rivers through the centrally sponsored scheme of NRCP for implementation of project on cost sharing basis between the central and the state government.  

 Proposal for pollution abatement of rivers are submitted by the state government from time to time, which are examined and considered for financial assistance under the NRCP depending on the degree of pollution in the river, he added.

The union minister was answering to K. Bhabananda’s question on whether National River Conservation Directorate has any projects or programmes for rivers in Manipur. 

Replying to another question raised by K. Bhabananda, state minister of Rural Development, Ram Kripal Yadav informed the House that no proposal from the state government has been received for sanction of dwelling units under the PMAY-G in regard to the large scale destruction of houses by the recent flash floods in the valley districts of Manipur.

Minister Ram Kripal also maintained that as and when such proposals are received, the same will be considered by the Empowered Committee.