In a move that could expedite the implementation of railways and highways projects across the country, the Union government has asked the Ministry of Railways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to use the soil/silt excavated from ponds/tanks in all districts across the country under the Amrit Sarovar mission for their infrastructure projects.
The water conservation mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24, 2022, aims at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district in all States as part of the celebrations of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. At least 50,000 water bodies are expected to be rejuvenated across the country during the nationwide programme that would culminate on August 15, 2023. The Centre announced that the national flag would be hoisted at all the Amrit Sarovar sites on that day.
Since the project would involve excavation of several thousands of tonnes of earth in the form of soil or silt, the Ministry of Rural Development has told the Ministry of Railways and the NHAI to map its infrastructure projects with the Amrit Sarovar sites in all States and Union Territories. The authorities were told to use the soil and silt excavated from the sites for the construction of ongoing projects.
