NASHIK:

Godavari river which is known as southern Ganga river has been included in the central government’s Namami Gange project. Under this project, the eco-park will be developed along both sides of the Godavari river. In addition, various eco-friendly projects will be undertaken.

For this, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been instructed to table a special action report till December 20. Fund of Rs 50 to 100 crore is likely to be received for this project. The central government has undertaken Namami Gange project to revive 9 principal rivers in the country.

Godavari river which is originated from here has now been included in this project. The central government has taken this decision considering pollution issue in Godavari river and instructions by Mumbai High Court to state government and NMC to take measures for this.

The High Court has formed a high-level committee to curb pollution and measures are being taken through this s per directives by the agencies. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board is taking various measures to deal with pollution. In addition, the smart city company will soon undertake Goda project for beautification of Godavari river.

The capacity of sewage treatment plants is also being increased to process sewage water in the city and action plan regarding this has been sent to the Centre. In addition, NMC has sought aid from the Centre for the cleanliness of Godavari river.

The central government has given its nod to provide aid to make Godavari pollution-free under the Namami Gange project and instructed to table the plan till December 20. A responsibility to prepare this new project plan has been given to NMC garden department chief and deputy municipal commissioner Shivaji Amle.

Accordingly, officials of the garden department are working to prepare the plan. Some eco-friendly projects will be conducted along both banks of Godavari in the 5-km distance from Someshwar to Ahilyabai Holkar bridge. Trees will be planted to stop soil erosion and other measures will also be taken as well.

It will be proposed to construct eco-park and gabion wall to for this. In effect, the Godavari river will be flowing all time, claiming the NMC garden department.

Rs 100 cr plan by NMC

On the lines of central government Namami Gange project, NMC is preparing a plan having the development of the eco-park, construction of gabion wall and other things for the cleanliness of Godavari river. A fund on large scale is being given for revival of 9 rivers like Krishna, Tapi, Narmada and others. Like this, a plan around Rs 50 to 100 crore under this project will be sent to the Centre. The centre is likely to give fund up to Rs 100 crore to make Godavari pollution-free.

NASHIK:

The toll plaza on Mumbai-Agra National Highway saw a low response from the commuters on FasTag. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) made FasTag compulsory from December 15. The first day of the FasTag proved to be a flop show, as very low the response was given by the commuters to FasTag.

Instead of making the functioning of toll disturbance-free, it created more traffic and chaos at Ghoti toll plaza.
The NHAI took help of 47 police personnel on Sunday to control traffic and unavoidable quarrels between the toll collector and commuter.

The first day of the FasTag started with traffic from Mumbai towards Nashik. The queue on toll plaza reached till the Taked-Ghoti​bridge near the Ghoti toll plaza.  On the other side, the traffic moving towards Mumbai increased in the afternoon, making the vehicles queue reach till the Ghoti Phata.

The toll plaza administration made two lanes open for vehicles with FasTag and another lane was opened for vehicles without FasTag. No major incidents were reported by the police at the toll plaza. The commuters vent anger as it was taking longer than expected.

NASHIK:

North Maharashtra shivered as minimum temperatures dipped across the region with Nashik city being the coldest at 14.0 degrees Celsius in the region, followed by Malegaon city recording a minimum temperature of 15.5 degree Celsius and Jalgaon 15.6, on Sunday.

For the last three days, the minimum temperature level in the city is hovering around 13.0 degree Celsius. On Friday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 12.6 degree C with a Max. of 28.1 degree Celsius, followed by a minimum temperature of 13.6 degree C (Max. 27.9) on Saturday — a slight rise of 1.4 degree Celsius from Friday’s minimum level.

According to meteorological sources, the minimum temperature in the city will hover around 14 degree Celsius to 16 degree between December 16 and December 21. Yesterday, Mahabaleshwar in the state recorded a minimum temperature 14.4 degree Celsius, Pune 15, Aurangabad 16.3, Parbhani 17.8, Nanded 16, Akola 17.3, Amaravati 18.4, Nagpur 16.8, Gondiya 17.5, Wasim 15 and Vardha 18.4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Usmanabad in the state was coldest at 13.8 degree Celsius, followed by Nashik which on Sunday recorded a minimum temperature level of 14.0 degree Celsius and a maximum of 28.3 degree. According to Skymet Weather, light rain is likely in three meteorological divisions of Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Madhya

Maharashtra during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Places like Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Yavatmal and Jalna will experience these rains. The weather in the rest parts of Maharashtra, on the other hand, will remain completely dry. The rainfall activities would be beneficial for crops like orange and groundnut.