Paving way for giving a facelift to the Harmu River, considered to be the lifeline of Ranchi, Chief Minister Raghubar Das will lay the foundation stone for ‘Harmu River rejuvenation and conservation work’ on Saturday near Karam Chowk here. Rs87crore has already been approved by the State Government a couple of months back for the conservation and beautification work to be carried out by a Mumbai-based agency within a period of 30 months.
“Beautification work is to be carried out on both sides of 10.4 km stretch of Harmu river located in the State capital involving Rs87 crore already allocated by the State government for the purpose,” said Jharkhand Urban Development Corporation (JUDCO) GM Umesh Mehta. A target of 30 months has been given to the Mumbai-based M/S Eagle Infra India limited for the completion of beautification and conservation work, added Mehta.
According to Mehta, the river will be cleaned adopting ‘in situ’ or direct dosing water treatment which involves mixing and dosing chemical reagents directly into the affected water body for the treatment, instead of pumping out water for treatment through a water treatment plant. “Phytorid technology will be applied for the purpose which involves less energy as compared to the other technologies,” said the GM.
“The in situ treatment,” he added, “allows soil to be treated without being excavated and transported, resulting in potentially significant cost savings.” Referring to the beautification work done along the Harmu River, Mehta further added that at least 15-20 meter area along both the sides of the river stretch lying in the State capital will be rejuvenated following the removal of illegal encroachment.
“To check the problem of open defecation alongside the river, as many as 31 community toilets will be constructed on some of the vulnerable spots also putting dustbins throughout the river stretch ensuring an effective waste management system,” said Mehta. Besides, hundreds of trees will also be planted alongside the river bed enhancing the beauty of the river with proper landscaping, he added.
The riverbeds will also have a 2.5 meter pathway to be constructed on both sides of the river facilitating the commoners to stroll on it. M/S Eagle Infra India limited has been assigned the job with a target of completing the project within 30 months, he said.
The issue related to rejuvenation and beautification of Ranchi’s life line Harmu River was being raised by the politicians and social activists for quite some time. Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani had raised the issue in Parliament last year expressing that the restoration of the past glory of the river was very important for the city residents. Nathwani had alleged that the haphazard encroachment along the beds of the river has done irreparable damage to it and spoiled the green patches it supported.
‘Harmu Nadi Bachao Abhiyan Samiti’ headed by social activist Ashok Bhagat, on the other hand, expressed pleasure over the initiative taken by the State Government and said that their struggle for the last several years for the cause finally delivered. A pledge was also taken during the meeting held at the office of Vikas Bharti in Ranchi till the River was made encroachment-free and pure and smooth water flows in it.