CSR projects under Namami Gange set to begin
By DNA
August 3, 2018
The first batch of major works under Namami Gange by corporates as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are set to take off soon with companies such as Indorama Industries, IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank spending on development on Ghats, cleaning of drains and plantation drives respectively. Apart from the projects getting executed through Central funding, the government has also sought to rope in corporates and Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) to join in Ganga cleaning.
Though PSU's have collaborated for the Namami Gange on certain projects, the projects under CSR activity had not taken off yet.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has now finally found willing participants and after completing procedural requirements such as vetting of projects and preparation of detailed project reports (DPR), certain projects are set to take off.
IndusInd Bank is undertaking a project for treatment of nine drains in Allahabad and Farrukhabad at a cost of Rs 9.5 crore. The DPR for the project was prepared by Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited, a PSU under Ministry of Water Resources. Ghat development along the Ganga is one area where many companies have proposed to undertake CSR activity.
Indorama Industries, Yes Bank, Hinduja group, Shipping Corporation of India, Amer Maritime, HCL and Reliance Industries have all proposed to take up Ghat development works. Among these companies, Indorama Industries is going to spend Rs 25.65 crore on development of Ghats at Gangotri and Badrinath, two of the four holy Chardham shrines. According to NMCG officials, work on this project is likely to begin end of this month. Yes Bank has proposed to develop Ghats in Rishikesh and would also undertake plantation activities in Uttarakhand.
"Under Namami Gange, corporates can either contribute funds or take up specific project as per their wish under CSR activity. But, the NMCG reviews these projects and its feasibility because they have to be effective," said Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, NMCG, the implementing agency for Namami Gange.
Clean Ganga Fund, the other option for private corporations to aid Ganga cleaning, has so far received Rs.225 crore from PSU's, private companies, individuals and Non-Resident Indians. From this fund, the government has approved projects worth Rs.205.14 crore which includes afforestation along Ganga, in-situ treatment of drains and redevelopment of Ghats and crematoria.
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