2007 Kumbh Mela allotment almost complete

Allahabad, Dec 23 (UNI) The allotment of land to traditional organisations in the mela area here has been completed and remaining allotments would be completed within three days.

Talking to newspersons here today, Kumbh Mela officer Pragyan Ram Mishra said the mela was being settled in an area of 7,151 bighas, which is 8 per cent more compared to the 2001 Maha Kumbh.

Despite pressure from various corners, the mela administration is not going to acquire more land, he asserted.

''This time, we received 1,000 new applications for allotment of land in mela area, but it would not be possibe for us to satisfy new comers,'' he informed.

When said only 10 days were left for the start of the Ardh Kumbh Mela, but the water of Ganga was still polluted, Mr Mishra replied the water of Dhela river originating from Uttaranchal was causing more pollution in Ganga.

''Its polluted water is coming in river Ganga through Ram Ganga river. The second reason is the release of the effluent from tanneries in Kanpur.'' He claimed the Kanpur DM had already been requested for checking of the effluent in Ganga, ''but it seems no effective steps have been taken so far in this regard.'' Asked about the release of 11 VHP activists, who were allegedly involved in ransacking his office yesterday, Mr Mishra said it was a bailable offence and the activists had full right for bail. ''They were not released under any pressure.'' Meanwhile, SSP Mela Rajiv Sabharwal said the civil police to be deployed in the mela area had already arrived, while paramilitary forces would arrive on December 27.

A map of mela area showing roads, camps of various akharas/sadhus and related information would be made available to people within two or three days.

UNI JL VS SY RK1925