Indian Express 30.04.2010
Govt demands Rs 1,500 cr for Maha Kumbh
Lalmani Verma Tags : 2012-13 maha kumbh, lucknow Posted: Friday , Apr 30, 2010 at 0143 hrs
Lucknow: After Uttarakhand received a Central grant to prepare for Kumbh Mela 2010, the Uttar Pradesh government will now demand a special grant of Rs 1,500 crore to develop the infrastructure in Allahabad ahead of Maha Kumbh in 2012-13.A proposal comprising different development works worth Rs 723 crore has already been sent to the Ministry of Urban Development. Another proposal worth Rs 750 crore will be tabled before the Planning Commission in a meeting on May 7.
“The fund (Rs 723 crore) will be utilised for roads, sewage disposal, flood control, drinking water, food and essential supplies, tourism, health, power supply and streetlights,” said Alok Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development department. “As the Centre has given a grant of Rs 400 crore to Uttarakhand for Kumbh Mela, we are also demanding a special grant because the number of pilgrims in Allahabad will be much more than Haridwar,” he added.
In the first proposal of Rs 723.74 crore, the state government has demanded fund for departments like the Public Works Department (Rs 234.58 crore), electricity (Rs 183 crore), irrigation (Rs 104 crore), health and related services (Rs 126 crore), municipal corporation (Rs 30 crore), Jal Nigam (Rs 54 crore), tourism (Rs 10 crore), transport (Rs 2.3 crore), Jal Sansthan (Rs 2.45 crore) and general administration (Rs 20 crore). A fund of 50 crore has also been demanded for Ganga Pollution Control Unit of UP Jal Nigam.
The Electricity department has proposed works like construction of new sub-stations at Gaughat and Bankshi Bandh, laying of new electricity cables and installation of streetlights in and around the Sangam region. The Jal Nigam would ensure water supply, drains and sewer for disposal of waste waster, watering on roads and new sewage treatment plant. The PWD would develop 25 pontoon bridges, pathways and roads. The UP State Road Transport Corporation plans to set up temporary bus stations at Jhunsi, K P College Ground, Arail, etc and ply special buses on busy routes.
The Administrative department needs fund to oversee the smooth operations of all the concerned departments and to maintain law and order during the Mela.
“The fund received under first proposal would mainly be utilised in the Mela area. The proposal for Rs 750 crore would be utilised for the development of flyovers, parks, community toilets, health and tourism in the city,” said Ranjan. According to officials, special care will be taken to see that polluted water is not discharged untreated into the river and the city was clean.
