Proposed Ganga closure kicks up row

Hardwar, Sep 14 (UNI) Priests and businessmen have opposed the proposed Ganga closure for two weeks at Har-Ki-Pauri saying thousands of pilgrims visit the city during this time.

The upper Ganga canal is closed every year for clearing after Dussehra. This require drying up of the stream of Ganga at Har-Ki-Pauri. For this purpose, the stream of the river is diverted into Neeldhara at Bhagirath Bindu, one-km up stream from Har-Ki-Pauri.

Ram Kumar Mishra, president of the Ganga Sabha, said closure of the Ganga at Har-Ki-Pauri was affront to Hindu sentiments and would not be tolerated at any cost.

Vyapar Mandal of the city has also opposed the closure of the Ganga during yatra season.

''It would adversely affect the interests of the community. If the Ganga is to be closed, it should be done after Diwali when the yatra season is over,'' Suresh Gulati, president of the city Vyapar Mandal said.

However, the farming community has supported the decision of the Irrigation Department to close the holy river from October 1, as the sowing of Rabi crops begins after Diwali.

Brijendra Chauhan, a former, told the mediapersons here yesterday that it was the best time for the closure of the Ganges since water requirement for irrigation is minimum in entire Hardwar district as well as western and central regions of Uttar Pradesh at this time of the season.

UNI XC MS BD1501