UP govt monitoring Ganga pollution at Sangam

Lucknow, Jan 2 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government has set up a high-level committee to monitor water flow and pollution of Ganga at Allahabad and other places on day-to-day basis in view of the Ardh Kumbh Mela starting tomorrow.

The committee comprises officials from irrigation, environment, pollution board and the state Ganga cell.

UP has ordered closure of nine tanneries at Kanpur last week, while Rana Paper mill at Muzaffarnagar and Kothari Industries manufacturing yeast in Bullandshahr have been closed from today.

The state government would also release 300 cusecs water in Ganga from Sharda Canal near Badri in Pratapgarh district from today, so that the water level at Allahabad is maintained.

State environment minister Ujjawal Raman Singh told UNI here today all efforts are being made for pollution free Ganga during the Ardh Kumbh.

''We are monitoring the water level and pollution on day-to-day basis and have made all arrangements to give saints no reason for complaint,'' he informed.

Mr Singh, MLA from Allahabad, said 300 cusecs water will be released in Ganga from Sharda Canal daily, besides 1,505 cusecs being released from Narora Barrage daily.

Claiming the pollution level of Ganga in Allahabad was well under permissible level, he said the colour of water at Sangam was 20 hazen unit against the maxiumum level of 300 hazen unit.

About action taken against illegal waste disposal by the tanneries and other industrial units, the minister said officials were making all efforts.

''Till date, about 24 tanneries, including nine last week, have been ordered shut in Kanpur, while two industries found polluting Ganga and its tributaries were closed down today in Muzaffarnagar and Bulandshahr districts.'' Ardh Kumbh Mela begins tomorrow with main bathing dates falling on January 3, 14, 19 and 23.

Sadhus and saints have resorted to demonstration in the mela area over low level and polluted water flowing in Ganga at Sangam.

UNI