Already, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) had provided the much-needed push to rejuvenate the Nag River and its tributary Pili by approving plan of Rs1,252.33 crore in June. The second plan’s estimated cost is Rs1,373.60 crore.

Now, the project will have two different components — Nag River pollution abatement project of Rs1,252.33 crore and Nag River Front Development project of Rs1,373.60 crore.

Mayor Pravin Datke said that Nag and Pili rivers will be rejuvenated totally and beautified as like any other natural river with execution of the two projects at a time. “NMC will take long term loan from Japan-based Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for riverfront development project. Central government will give consent to get the loan that will have to be repaid in 40 years. A decision was taken in the meeting held between union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu and union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on September 28,” he said.

Datke, municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar and other officials from the NMC were present in the meeting.

Officer for lakes and rivers Mohammed Israil said that the NMC obtained debt sustainability certificate from the state government for seeking the loan. “NMC will prepare detailed project report (DPR) for riverfront development project and submit to the Centre within three months. Centre will approve the project under its bilateral development assistance project,” he said.

Standing committee chairman Sudhir Raut said that state government will bear 35% share in pollution abatement project of Rs1,252.33 crore. “Centre and NMC will bear 50% cost each. Now state will contribute 35% while remaining will be shared by NMC. Centre will rope in the state’s share in the project,” he said.

Actually, the Centre had approved rejuvenation project for a Pune river in which it is sharing 85% cost while remaining being contributed by the municipal corporation. However, the Centre did not accept the same formula for Nag River project. Despite being approved four months ago, the NMC is yet to receive funds for the project. The NMC with the help of Gadkari is pressing for 85% share of the Centre due to its financial crisis.

The pollution abatement project will also cover sewage collection system and treatment projects planned in Central, South and North Nagpur.

The standing committee headed by SudhirRaut on Monday gave post facto approval to preparation of environmental status report (ESR) 2015-16 through Neeri. Also, approval has been given to pay Rs17.25 lakh to Neeri for ESR with full of flaws.

“It is wrong to issue work order without inviting tenders or quotations for works like ESR preparation. Committee approved the proposal as it was for a first time violation. We warned the administration not to repeat such violations,” Raut said.

The NMC had issued work order to Neeri in April and already got done ESR from it. Now, the proposal to approve work order and payment to NEERI was tabled before the standing committee.

Another proposal to appoint Neeri and pay Rs1.26 crore to it for preparing ESR for five years between 2016-17 and 2020-21 was also approved. The rate is Rs20 lakh excluding service tax for ESR which is two and a half times more than the amount paid a year ago.