The Madhya Pradesh government has chalked out a scheme for purification of Narmada River in the cities situated on its banks. Under the scheme, state’s Urban Administration and Development Department will undertake the work of preventing pollutants falling into the river with the assistance of the urban bodies of these cities.

Under the first phase of the scheme, urban bodies of nine cities situated on the banks of Narmada have been provided one crore rupees each. These cities include Amarkantak, Dindori, Mandla, Bhedaghat, Hoshangabad, Budni, Omkareshwar, Mandleshwar and Maheshwar. Utilising this fund, these urban bodies will conduct a survey and prepare a design.

To prevent pollutants from falling into the river, works for diversion of filthy drain and sold waste management will be done under the second phase. These works will be undertaken in about 52 small and medium towns situated either on the banks of Narmada or some distance away. The scheme will be completed in ten years.