PM ‘Bhagirath of modern India', behind Namami Gange success: UP CM

Time of India

05-06-2025

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Ayodhya
: Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'Bhagirath of modern India', Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath
credited him for the success of the Namami Gange campaign.
Speaking in Ayodhya at events to mark World Environment Day on Thursday, the CM said that before 2014, the Ganga was "severely polluted due to the unplanned and unscientific activities of previous govts".
The Namami Gange project, launched in 2014, resulted in the river regaining its purity and uninterrupted flow, something witnessed by over 66 crore devotees who visited the Prayagraj Mahakumbh this year, he said. The CM also planted a sapling at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Pushp Vatika and congratulated people on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, Saryu Mahotsav, and World Environment Day.
Elaborating on the historical, cultural, and environmental importance of Ayodhya, Yogi spoke about the efforts to revive the Saryu river and said that rivers were the foundation of Mother Earth, and protecting them was essential to safeguarding the environment, wildlife, and human life.
"Lord Ram mentioned the name of Saryu while speaking about Ayodhya. Saryu is the soul of Ayodhya, and it is every citizen's responsibility to protect and preserve it," he said. Wishing people on Ganga Dussehra, the CM spoke about the descent of Ganga onto Earth after the penance of Lord Bhagirath. Ganga was not only a source of spiritual liberation and material well-being but also the reason behind the agricultural richness of India and the world.
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The plains nourished by the Ganga are among the most fertile lands on the planet, he said.
Highlighting the efforts being made by the govt to improve the health of rivers in the state, the CM said that district magistrates were directed to revive at least one river in their respective districts.
Speaking about initiatives to be taken by the UP forest department in the coming days, the CM announced that on June 23, the martyrdom day of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, BJP would launch a large-scale tree plantation drive.
He also said that this year's tree plantation drive in the state would be linked with rivers, and large-scale plantation drives would be carried out along riverbanks. This year, he said, 35 crore saplings would be planted along rivers.
Plantation would also be undertaken along highways and expressways. Speaking on Ayodhya's transformation over the past 10 years, the CM said that the city was once plagued by irregular power supply, water shortage, and cleanliness but now emerged as a clean and beautiful spiritual destination.
Highlighting the surge in tourists coming to the city, he said: "Where earlier the number of devotees barely crossed a few lakh, Ayodhya welcomed over 16 crore pilgrims last year alone. Key development works that have taken place here include an international airport, beautification of temples and monasteries, and the expansion of Ram Ki Paidi, now graced by the clean, free-flowing waters of the Saryu. Maharishi Valmiki's divine vision of Ayodhya is finally taking shape."
The CM also proposed the creation of theme-based gardens in Ayodhya, named after figures, such as Ma Janaki, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, Hanuman, Sugriva, Jambavan, Mata Shabari, and Nishad Raj. He called on the citizens of Ayodhya to take a collective pledge, in collaboration with the district administration, to revive at least one river in the region.
The CM congratulated Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi on completing two years in office and praised the corporation's performance, particularly in urban development and civic management. He also inaugurated development projects worth Rs 30 crore and laid the foundation stone for projects valued at Rs 33 crore.