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Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions reviewed the progress of Devika River Project of Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir
About Devika river project
- The work on the Rs.190 Crore project under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) started in March 2019.
- Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed, encroachments will be removed, natural water bodies will be restored and catchment areas will be developed along with cremation ground.
- The project includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants of 8 MLD, 4 MLD and 1.6 MLD capacity, sewerage network of 129.27 km, development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants and three solar power plants.
- On completion of the project, the rivers will see reduction in pollution and improvement in water quality.
The Devika river & its cultural importance
- The river has its origin at near Sudhmahadev and at Venisung it merges with Suryaputri Tawi and this confluence is a place of pilgrimage,where a fair is organised on the eve of Baisakhi every year.
- It again appears near Gangera in Udhampur,whose ancient name is believed to be Gauraan. Devika manifests itself in the form of small rivulet at Sudhmahadev, Udhampur,Jindrah, Purmandal and Uttarvehni after which it merges with Basantar.
- As it appears and disappears at many places, Devika is also known as Gupt Ganga.
- The river holds great religious significance as it is revered by Hindus as the sister of river Ganga.
- In the Nilmat Puran that was written in the 7th century by Nela Muni, it is mentioned that the Devika River is a manifestation of the mother Goddess Parwati herself to benefit the people of Mader Desha that covers areas between river Ravi and Chenab and the river Devika appeared on Shiv Ratri.
- The river presently runs under its sandy surface.
Extra reading: https://journalsofindia.com/national-river-conservation-program/
Source: PIB
