Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari today reiterated government’s commitment of cleaning Ganga by 80 per cent till March next year. He said, his Ministry is working with great responsibility to achieve this feat before general election next year.

Mr. Gadkari was speaking on the occasion of signing of concession agreement for development of sewage treatment plant through hybrid annuity based on public-private-partnership for India’s first city-wide integrated sewage infrastructure for Mathura, in New Delhi today. He also witnessed signing of agreement with India Oil Corporation Limited, IOCL, for the re-use of treated water waste for Mathura refinery.

Terming this occasion as milestone in the history of India’s run against rising pollution, the Minister said, with IOCL, the government is giving high focus on waste to wealth and green India initiative. He said, with Namami Gange Mission, river Yamuna and tributaries of both Ganga and Yamuna and all filthy drains causing pollution, will also be cleaned.

He said, infrastructural projects of Bio-CNG from methane at the banks of river is also in the pipeline which will provide green alternative fuel to thousands of public transport in the region.

Having witnessed the signing of the agreement, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, by this landmark project, IOCL will reduce fresh water usage and rely on water from sewage treated plant for Mathura refinery. He further said, this model will surely provide space for case study for other environmental issues.