Patna: The state government has selected four villages under the Ganga Gram Yojana that entails introduction of a comprehensive waste management system so that untreated sewage does not flow into the Ganga.

The villages - Chausa in Buxar, East Pandarak in Patna and Hetanpur and Dharnipatti in Samastipur districts - are all located on the banks of the river. "We are giving final touches to the detailed project report (DPR) for the works to be done under the scheme and it would be sent to the Centre before January 10," said a senior rural development department official.

Under the project, the selected villages have to be made open defecation-free, given electricity, road connectivity and drinking water, get water generated through the drainage system recycled, get solid waste treated, and promote organic farming.

"It is not that all works would be done from the funds received from the Centre under Ganga Gram Yojana. Only those works which are not being done through the schemes of other departments would be undertaken," said the official.

The official pointed out that the selected villages have already been declared open defecation-free, while electrification and road construction works are on.

Organic farming corridors are being developed in the villages located along the banks of the Ganga.

For treatment of liquid waste, the rural development department would mention in the DPR that unlike cities where extensive sewerage and drainage system needs to be developed, in the rural areas emphasis would be laid on in situ treatment of sewage.

"Apart from construction of soak pits, we plan to introduce some plantation in the drainage system which treats the water in natural manner. This has been tested in some other parts of the country, which would be replicated in our state," the official said.

For treatment of solid waste, the department will replicate the model developed in around 30 villages by self-help groups in which solid waste is recycled after proper collection.

Amid the process of sending the DPR for the Ganga Gram project, the department is also going to launch training programmes in the villages.

"Very soon, special training programmes would be launched in the selected villages and emphasis would be laid on mobilisation of local groups in ensuring project implementation and also awareness generation about the importance of the project," said the official.

He also pointed out that for now, Ganga Gram Yojana was being launched on a pilot basis and based on the lessons learnt all villages along the river would be brought under its purview. "We intend to launch it in the remaining villages nine months after launch of the pilot scheme," the official said.