Sunday, 19 June 2022 | PNS | HARIDWAR
On an average one person drowns every week after jumping in the Ganga river either to commit suicide or for a swim in the Haridwar region. The authorities have installed metal barriers and wire mesh on the bridges to prevent people from using the bridges to dive into the Ganga. However, despite such preventive measures, people continue to dive in the river especially when the temperatures rise. The Haridwar district administration had installed such metal barriers on various bridges including the Premnagar bridge, Birla Ghat bridge, Dam Kothi bridge and other bridges here to prevent people from using these structures to jump in the river. Many people, especially youngsters continue to dive into the river from these bridges for a swim. However, at times, they are unable to remain in control due to the strong current of the Ganga and are swept away to their death. The local youths have made it a habit to climb past the wire mesh and then dive into the river from the bridges. The superintendent of police (City) Swatantra Kumar Singh said that local youth dive into the Ganga for swimming though such actions are dangerous. Wire mesh and netting have been installed to prevent such actions. He said that though some local youth are strong swimmers and have also saved others from drowning, the people are still requested to desist from diving into the Ganga.
