Gyansu sewer plant discharges stinking water into Ganga, locals demand stern action 

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi

A case of tampering with the purity of the Ganga has come to light in Uttarkashi, the district where Ganga- reverently called Mother Ganga- originates. Dirty water- mixed with excreta and urine- coming out of the sewer treatment plant located in Gyansu area adjacent to the district headquarters, is being directly discharged into holy river without proper treatment. The revelation of this fact has shocked the locals, teerth purohits and social organisations alike and they say that this amounts to nothing less than offending the sentiment of the devotees   who  come from India and abroad to take a holy dip in Ganga.

Locals say that sewage water flowing into Ganga in Gyansu area is clearly seen.  “The stench and filth are disrupting religious rituals and bathing. This issue is even more serious in view of the upcoming Haridwar Mahakumbh where millions of devotees will come, expecting to see Ganga in its purity,” one of the locals said.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the sub-divisional magistrate, Devanand Sharma has taken immediate cognizance. He stated that the departments concerned would be immediately instructed regarding the waste flowing into Ganga from the Gyansu sewer treatment plant. “The entire sewer treatment process will be streamlined and strict action will be taken if negligence is found at any level,” he added.
He clarified that the State government is completely serious about Ganga pollution and the district administration is taking this issue with utmost priority.
He further stated that the district Ganga committee holds meetings every month and this issue would be highlighted in the upcoming meeting. The Ganga pollution control unit, Barkot, would also be immediately instructed to ensure the necessary on-site investigation and prompt corrective action, he said.

Meanwhile, the president of Shri Panch Mandir Samiti, Gangotri, Harish Semwal expressed his deep concern, saying that this had deeply hurt the faith of millions of devotees.  “If concrete and enduring action is not taken in time, it will not only undermine religious faith but will have serious social and environmental consequences in the future,” he added.