Need for sustainable urban planning and River Sensitive Cities: NMCG

NEW DELHI: Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), in his address on Wednesday, August 25, at the Stockholm World Water Week 2021, spoke about developing a sustainable urban planning method. The address focused on developing river-sensitive cities and making management plans that integrate rivers and cities.

Mishra informed that NMCG is currently working with the National Institute of Urban Affairs and other departments to develop the Urban River Management Framework and River Sensitive Master Plan. He pointed out that while planning at the zonal level, the challenges experienced at the grass-root level near the river banks need to be considered and calculated for. Ganga River Basin Management Plan, prepared by a consortium of 7 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in 2010, also highlights the need for integration of rivers and water cycle with the urban plans.

Talking about river rejuvenation, he said that river rejuvenation and river health can be maintained if the cities are kept clean. “Hence, there is a need for river-sensitive cities”, said Mishra. He also spoke about the NMCG initiative on the River City Alliance, which aims to rejuvenate through sustainable development and capacity building.