River Devika Project

Context

River Devika project, built at the cost of over Rs 190 crore, will be completed by June, 2022.

About River Devika National project

• The work on the project was started in March 2019 under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
• Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed, encroachments will be removed, natural water bodies will be restored and catchment areas will be developed along with cremation ground.
• The project includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, sewerage network of 129.27 km, development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants and three solar power plants.
  • Project includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants of 8 MLD, 4 MLD and 1.6 MLD capacity.
• On completion of the project, the rivers will see reduction in pollution and improvement in water quality.
• It also aims to remove encroachments, sewerage treatment, restoration of natural water bodies and development of catchment areas.

About River Devika

• Also known as Devika Nagari, the river originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in Udhampur and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan), where it merges with the Ravi river.
• The Devika River holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus as the sister of the Ganga.

What is the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)?

• NRCP is a centrally funded scheme launched in 1995 aimed at preventing the pollution of rivers.
• Programs for river conservation are being implemented under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin Authority).
  • The National Ganga Council, also known as the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga, has replaced the NRGBA.