Maintain adequate water level in Ganga during Magh Mela: HC

Allahabad, Jan 12 (PTI) Ahead of annual religiouscongregation Magh Mela, which commences on January 14,Allahabad High Court today issued directions to the UttarPradesh government for maintaining adequate water level in theriver Ganga.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, Division Benchcomprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Arun Tandondirected the state government to ensure that "not more than 50per cent of water from the river is diverted for any otherpurpose" during the month-long Mela.

The PIL also draws the court''s attention towardsthe alarming pollution levels in the Ganga, which has beenformally declared as "national river".

Fixing January 19 as the next date of hearing, the courtasked the Centre, the state government and the central as wellas the state pollution control boards to file affidavitsregarding compliance with earlier orders passed with regard tochecking pollution in the river.