-SATISH HANDA

Holy Ganga river remained polluted since past 36 years in-spite of spending amount on it towards its cleanliness time to time allegedly due to lack of care, Chairman National Green Tribunal (NGT) Justice Adarsh Goel said there is immediate need to investigate about the use of amount of funds allocated by the government under Ganga Action Plan for cleaning holy river water by National Mission for Clean Ganga but to no result since river water is still highly polluted and unfit for use. Bench presided by Justice Goel accused Ganga Action Plan Committee for not only lack of care but also wastage of government funds as well harm to health due to polluted water demanding action against those responsible for neglect and misuse of funds registering cases against them under section 26 of NGT Act 2010 for cleanling of Ganga river water flowing across U.P, Uttarkhand, Bihar Jharkhand and W.Bengal states.

During survey The Financial World team when visited holy Ganga river from Gangoti to Rishikesh, the residents on the bank of both side of river vent their ire over callous manner of the authorities in handling ‘clean Ganga’ project blaming government spent amount worth crores of rupees  every year to clean river water flowing through hills which is centre of attraction for the visitors turn into rubbish and polluted water due to negligence of administration and the docile attitude of public. The residents of area feel that it was still time for state government and people to come forward and save holy Ganga river since before winter season the holy river becomes the bathing place for the buffaloes in plains and one can see hundreds of animals which make water so polluted and muddy that no one likes to take a dip  in it.

In day time usually holy river water becomes a bathing pond for buffaloes. According to a local fisherman the water is so dirty with cow dung it endangers the survival of fish, even migratory birds shun this water as well as water extremely harmful for health of residents who use this water. According to residents as well as visitors, it is sad the administration is not taking any action to have a strict check to prevent pollution in river water. They told that another pollution factor is mixing of sewerage water of adjoining residential areas in the river between Lakshaman Jhoola to Rishikesh. Information also reveals, overflowing sewerage water is thrown by some residents through drains and some of the residents around Triveni Ghat also throw garbage in the river. The Safai Karamcharis of the area around Swarag Ashram and Lakshaaman Jhoola are not sincere in lifting the heaps of garbage as told to visiting team which stinks badly and ultimately is pushed in river water.