Tuesday, March 21 2006 12:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: A master plan to check pollution of the river Ganga in Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur and Allahabad has been prepared, Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has informed the State Assembly.

The master plan for the cities has been prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency, a Japanese Government institution, he informed Vidhan Sabha, replying to a question by BJP member Shyam Deo Roy Chowdhary yesterday(Mar 20, 2006).

"The 'Sewerage Master Plan' has been prepared as per population estimates in the four cities in 2030 and projections vis-a-vis capacity of main sewer lines," he said.

"The organisation also prepared a feasibility report and identified works to be taken up on a priority basis," he added.

Chowdhary said the cost of the works to be undertaken, as per preliminary estimates, was Rs 10,234 crore.

The Centre would bear 85 per cent cost of the project in the form of grant while the State Government would bear the rest, he said adding Japan's Bank For International Cooperation would provide loan for the purpose.