It is very sad to note that even Centre Govt. has failed to address the issues for rejuvenation of the Holy River in last six years and now there seems to be a shift in focus altogether. NMCG had paid attention to foreign entities and did not trust the knowledge and talent available locally and did not attempt a doable action plan when it had no dearth of funding. Even now, India can attempt any ambitious project with or without foreign support but planning has to be much better addressing the critical issues in their totality and whatever powers are with the Legislature should get utilised to enact any laws, create a balance between responsibility and authority of NMCG to plan and execute the project in the planned time. River Rejuvenation project requires Multi-disciplinary specialists fully devoted to the cause, working effectively with the powers vested in them as a team. Even NGT or its nominee and CPCB together with representatives of state PCB can also be made a part of that team and the total work plan to be worked out should be NMCG's responsibility under Ministry of WR &NG and it should have nothing to do with the state till the project is completed and the Ganges as a rejuvenated resource is handed back to the states. Rather than seizing the opportunity, having utilised precious time of last 6 years, it is shifting the responsibility by changing the narration of the problem. Do we assume that politically, GOI has now a diminished interest in even attempting what is required to be done to rejuvenate the holy river. If this be so, even the future of River Interlinking projects seems to be bleak!
Published by LOKESH PUNJ, A B.TECH. Agr Engg, PGDM-SPA IIMA (1977-9) 25 yrs in Water Piping / Irrigation/Infra Projects
It is very sad to note that even Centre Govt. has failed to address the issues for rejuvenation of the Holy River in last six years and now there seems to be a shift in focus altogether. NMCG had paid attention to foreign entities and did not trust the knowledge and talent available locally and did not attempt a doable action plan when it had no dearth of funding. Even now, India can attempt any ambitious project with or without foreign support but planning has to be much better addressing the critical issues in their totality and whatever powers are with the Legislature should get utilised to enact any laws, create a balance between responsibility and authority of NMCG to plan and execute the project in the planned time. River Rejuvenation project requires Multi-disciplinary specialists fully devoted to the cause, working effectively with the powers vested in them as a team. Even NGT or its nominee and CPCB together with representatives of state PCB can also be made a part of that team and the total work plan to be worked out should be NMCG's responsibility under Ministry of WR &NG and it should have nothing to do with the state till the project is completed and the Ganges as a rejuvenated resource is handed back to the states. Rather than seizing the opportunity, having utilised precious time of last 6 years, it is shifting the responsibility by changing the narration of the problem. Do we assume that politically, GOI has now a diminished interest in even attempting what is required to be done to rejuvenate the holy river. If this be so, even the future of River Interlinking projects seems to be bleak!