Swachh Survekshan for urban India: Navi Mumbai, Rajkot, Indore among the top

Centre has announced the performance of cities under the Star Rating Protocol, which is part of the Swachh Survekshan for urban areas. Among the 1435 cities that applied, Navi Mumbai, Rajkot, Surat, Mysore, Indore and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh received '5-star garbage-free cities' rating. While 65 cities, which include Karnal, New Delhi, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Bhilai Nagar, Ahmedabad, have been given three-star rating and 70 cities including Delhi Cantonment, Vadodara, Rohtak are among the one-star garbage free cities. The protocol includes components such as cleanliness of drains & water bodies, plastic waste management, managing construction & demolition waste which are critical drivers for achieving garbage free cities. (Livemint)

Gomti river in Tripura added to the list of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol

In an agreement signed between India and Bangladesh, Sonamura-Daudkandi route on Tripura’s River Gomti and Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi routes were added to the list of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes. This is the first ever international waterway that Tripura has got and the state is hopeful that the protocol route will emerge as a ‘gateway of Northeast’ in future by tapping into bilateral connectivity and trade potential. As per the revised protocol, a 93 km stretch of Gomti in Tripura’s Sepahijala district connecting Sonamura on the Indian side and Daudkandi in Bangladesh and Rajhahi-Dhulian route would be in effect which is expected to improve connectivity in both the countries and augment infrastructure in Bangladesh. (The Indian Express)

KRMB allows release of additional 2 tmc of water to Andhra Pradesh

After a detailed discussion and as mutually agreed by both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has given its approval to release an additional two tmc of water to Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal till the end of May to meet the drinking water needs of Guntur and Prakasam districts. The nod has been granted taking into consideration the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Department's request to allow more water to the state as the domestic consumption increased due to Covid-19 and lockdown. In another order, dated May 20, KRMB denied Andhra to go ahead with the proposed Rayalaseema pumping scheme and upgradation of Pothireddypadu head regulator canal system as it will exceed the allocated share of water from Krishna basins to the state. (The New Indian Express) 

Centre approves Bodhghat irrigation project in Chhattisgarh

The Jal Shakti Ministry and the Water Commission (CWC) have given their in-principle approval to the pre-feasibility report of the Bodhghat multipurpose irrigation project in Chhattisgarh. The proposed project, worth Rs 22,653 crore, envisages construction of a dam on the Indravati River near Barsur village in Dantewada district. The project would provide irrigation facility to an area of 3.66 lakh hectares annually in naxal-affected Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur districts, besides generating 300 MW of hydropower. With the approval granted, the state government can take up work of survey and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project which has been pending for the last 40 years. (Business Insider India)

Gujarat government begins diversion of Narmada water to Saurashtra

As per the state officials, under the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) scheme, the Gujarat government has begun diverting 4,000 million cubic feet of Narmada water to dams and reservoirs in the water-scarce Saurashtra region. The water lifted from the Narmada water will be diverted to 25 reservoirs, 120 lakes and ponds and 400 check dams. The move will help provide drinking water to the water-scarce region, along with raising water tables in the region and quenching the thirst of cattle during the ongoing summer. (The Indian Express)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from May 19 - 25, 2020. Also, read news this week.