PATNA: Urban development and housing minister Prem Kumar,
on Sunday, said work on integrated sewerage scheme, solid waste
management and river front management is being undertaken in 20 cities
along the river Ganga in the state with the assistance of the Centre.

The minister, who on Saturday reviewed the functioning of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), said that the 20 cities to be covered under the plan are: Patna, Danapur Nizamat, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, Hajipur, Chhapra, Buxar, Dighwara, Sonepur,
Revilganj, Ara, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger, Sultanganj, Naugachia,
Khagaul, Barahaiya, Barh and Mokama. He said that river front
development also includes construction of dhobi ghat, graveyard and
public latrines.

The minister said funds had already been
sanctioned to four of the 20 cities and the share of the Centre and
state is 70:30. He said work had started at Hajipur, Begusarai and
Buxar.

The minister said under Hajipur
Sewerage Plan, sewerage treatment plants of 22 lakh litre daily
capacity would be constructed while sewerage treatment plants of 16 lakh
litre capacity would be constructed under Buxar
sewerage plan. Sewerage treatment plant of 17 lakh litre daily capacity
under Begusarai Sewerage Plan and 30 lakh litre daily capacity under
Munger Sewerage Plan would be constructed. All these projects would be
completed in two years.

The minister directed the officials
concerned to prepare detailed project report (DPR) for the remaining 16
cities and send it to the centre by September. He also directed the
officials to prepare city sanitation plans (CSP) for 16 cities by
November.