NASHIK, SEPT 30: Watershed development works in the catchment areas of rivers will be expedited to prevent erosion and silting, a team of agriculture, forest and irrigation officials resolved here today. At a meeting held here under the River Valley Development Programme, it was pointed out that watershed works, including tree plantation in the catchment areas of river valleys and dams, would prevent soil erosion and silting of dams.

The speakers included additional secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry Saathi Nari. The River Valley Development Programme was initiated in Maharashtra two years ago. The programme was undertaken in the catchment areas of the Damanganga, Ukai and Sardar Sarovar dams. Over the last two years, 67 per cent of 1.30 lakh hectares in the Damanganga river valley has been covered in Peth, Jawhar and Mokhada.

In the Ukai project, about 80 per cent of the 15 lakh hectares has been covered and in the Sardar Sarovar project onthe Narmada river, about 56 per cent of the 1.64 lakh hectares has been covered. The Maharashtra government has spent about Rs 300 crore on watershed development works since 1997, including Rs 200 crore for the river valleys.

Sulabh sanitary blocks

NASHIK, SEPT 30: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to construct 37 Sulabh public toilets in the city at the cost of Rs 4.06 crore. At present, there are three such sanitary blocks in the city.

Accordingly, 14 sanitary blocks will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.53 crore in the first phase and 23 blocks for Rs 2.53 crore in the second phase. The NMC has sought loans from HUDCO for the project.

In the first phase Sulabh blocks will be constructed at Somani Garden, Dwarka Circle, Kathada Market, CIDCO fire station, CIDCO market Malegaon stand, Bytco junction, Bytco hospital, Muktidham, the railway staion, Mahsrul, Gangapur, Agartakli, ESIS hospital and Satpur. The blocks will be handed over to contractors for maintenance andusers will be charged between 50 paise and Re 1.

Sulabh International had surveyed 50 sites in the city and approved 37 for the project. The construction of the first phase will be complete in one year.