PNS | DEHRADUN
The chief spokesperson of Uttarakhand Congress Garima Dasauni has said that the double engine governments of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and the BJP led government at centre have dealt a major blow on the sanctity of River Ganga and the faith of pilgrims in the last 10 years.
She said that in a recent order the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that the sacredness of Ganga has been compromised at its origin point itself. The NGT has expressed its grave concern on drains polluting Ganga. She said that NGT has observed that fecal coliform is as high as 540 MPN/ 100 ml in Gangotri which shows that the river is polluted at its source only.
Dasauni said that in an affidavit submitted to the court the Uttarakhand government has said that 512.23 MLD of wastewater was generated in the State. The State has 69 sewage treatment plants of total capacity 316.87 MLD which shows that 195.36 MLD water from drains is directly being added in the Ganga.
The Congress leader said that a report of the central pollution control board has claimed that 48 STPs in Uttarakhand are below standards.
She said that in its order of February 9 this year, the NGT has said that criminal cases should be registered against the officers responsible for polluting Ganga.
