Nagpur: The long-awaited Nag River rejuvenation project has received a major financial push, with the Centre, Maharashtra govt and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) approving a combined ₹61.96 crore to accelerate efforts to restore the iconic river and tackle pollution.As per the NMC sources, the first major funding tranche will be released through the Centre’s SNA-SPARSH system, a fund-management mechanism intended to improve transparency and streamline govt payments. The state environment department has said transactions will be routed through Reserve Bank of India to ensure the money is transferred through the prescribed system for project-related expenditure.The ₹61.96-crore allocation is part of the larger ₹1,927-crore Nag River rejuvenation project, aimed at addressing the river’s pollution and restoring its ecological condition. The funding is being shared by the three participating agencies in proportion to their respective contributions.The Centre will contribute ₹37.18 crore, accounting for 60% of the approved amount. Maharashtra govt will provide ₹15.49 crore, or 25%, while the NMC will contribute ₹9.29 crore, representing the remaining 15%.The funding approval is expected to help move the project forward after a prolonged wait. More than ₹78 crore in consultancy-related expenditure for the larger project will be borne directly by the Centre, according to the NMC sources. The remaining works are to be taken up in separate components.The Nag River, which runs through Nagpur and is closely associated with the city’s history, has suffered from pollution over the years. The rejuvenation initiative is intended to address the contamination and improve the river’s condition through a coordinated effort involving central, state and municipal authorities.
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