Union Minister Uma Bharti discussed various issues related to rejuvenation of river Ganga with scientists at the city-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

The discussions were held yesterday following a proposal submitted by NEERI regarding water quality monitoring of Ganga river.

The Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation reviewed the activities related to water quality monitoring and sediment analysis for Ganga river from Gomukh to Hooghly, proposed by NEERI, a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

After the review, Bharti advised NEERI to include such parameters in the study which have a direct bearing on human and aquatic life. She also directed the institute to include study of Arsenic, as it is also a major concern for human and aquatic life, a release from the institute said.

The minister interacted with the institute's scientists on selection of various locations considering the most polluted stretches of Ganga.

Bharti also mentioned that water quality monitoring and sediment analysis study needs to be completed maximum in 15 months, as the government will formulate a final plan based on NEERI's study to clean up the Ganga.

Earlier, scientists made presentations on activities proposed by the institute regarding Ganga rejuvenation, including identification of unique characteristics of Ganga water and diversity of flora in upper catchment, particularly medicinal plants.

They briefed the minister about the 'phytorid' wastewater treatment technology, which can be instrumental in the mission of cleaning the Ganga.

Bharti also visited a site in Nagpur where phytorid technology has been implemented and is in operation for last four years for sewage treatment, the release added.