Bhopal: The State Government will launch a drive for purification and conservation of state’s lifeline Narmada River. Rs. 1298 crore 27 lakh are estimated to be spent on the drive in two phases. The drive will be launched from Narmada River originating point at Amarkantak. Besides Urban Administration & Development and Environment and other departments, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board and industrial units will also participate in the drive. The drive involves 53 cities of the state on the banks of Narmada River. The Urban Administration & Development Department is chalking out a special action plan for solid waste management, sanitation, disposal of sewer and rain water, plantation etc. in these 53 cities to ensure purification and conservation of Narmada River. Under the first phase of the two-phase drive, 24 cities situated upto ten kilometers away from Narmada River banks have been included whereas the second phase will cover 29 cities situated 10 to 50 kilometers away. Rs. 578 crore and Rs. 720.58 crore 29 lakh are estimated to be spent in the cities covered the first and second phase respectively. The State Government has directed all the concerning urban bodies to chalk out action plans for Narmada River purification and conservation in their respective areas and demand necessary fund to it. The Forest Department has been directed to undertake plantations along the banks of Narmada River. It is noteworthy that total length of Narmada River from its originating point upto Arabian Sea is 1312 kilometers including 1077 kilometers in Madhya Pradesh. The 24 cities to be covered under the first phase of Narmada River purification and conservation drive include Amarkantak, Dindori, Shahpura (Dindori), Mandla, Barela, Panagar, Bhedaghat, Jabalpur, Kareli, Sainkhera, Hoshangabad, Shahganj, Budni, Rehti, Nasrullahganj, Barwah, Sanawad, Mandaleshwar, Kasrawad, Omkareshwar, Dhamnod, Anjad and Barwani. The cities to be covered under the second phase include Jaithari, Annupur, Bichhiya, Niwas, Banjar, Nainpur, Shahpura (Jabalpur), Patan, Gotegaon, Gadarwara, Mohgaon (Chhindwara), Bareli, Badi, Obaidullahganj, Pipariya, Sohagpur, Babai, Itarsi, Seoni Malwa, Timarni, Harda, Khirkiya, Khategaon, Satwas, Kannod, Mandu, Kukshi, Manawar and Rajpur.