Baghpat, Sep 11: Affirming that cleaning the River Ganga was the top priority of the government, Union Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday promised to clean 70-80% of river Ganga before December this year. Gadkari said this while addressing a road inauguration programme in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat city.

In August, Gadkari had reviewed the cleaning work at the bank of the River Ganga, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. After taking a stock of the arrangements, Gadkari had informed that all necessary arrangements will be made to clean the river before the commencement of the Kumbh Mela in January 2019.

"We will provide funds to Uttar Pradesh government to clean drains which pollute Ganga before Kumbh Mela near Allahabad and will send four dredgers for dredging Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi. Clean and pure Ganga is our priority," Gadkari was quoted by ANI.

Gadkari had said that the Centre is investing Rs 1700 crore in the dredging of Ganga and four river ports will be constructed in Allahabad. According to a report by ANI, by November end, the Ministry will also launch Airboat services with a capacity of 40 people that will function between Allahabad and Varanasi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2018 04:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).