Lack of funds to clean Ganga

ALLAHABAD: Discharge from toxic drains of the district continues to flow unchecked into the Ganga as the environment department neither has resources nor revenue for the purpose. The only solution in sight is installation of the Sewage Treatment Plant which could regulate dirty water flowing into the river, but that too to a limited extent as there is a wide gap between the daily discharge and capacity of STP to treat dirty water.
Even after the amendment in the existing Water Cess Act 1977 is introduced following a nod from the Centre, the revenue earning would not suffice so as to tap toxic water from flowing into the Ganga.
The situation becomes all the more worrisome during monsoons as all sewage water from major drains of the city finds its way into the river, making the water unfit for human consumption. Nevertheless, caring two hoots for the fact that the river water is unclean, devotees continue to take a dip, which they consider as holy.
Environmentalists, however, said that the situation during the magh mela last year was not as alarming as it used to be during the previous years which attracted lot of criticism from the seers and pilgrims. The more than normal downpour beginning from June and continuing till August last year was being cited as the primary reason behind the conclusion. However, this year the situation is entirely different. With the state experiencing less than normal rainfall, district authorities might as well expect tumultuous times as and when the mela period draws closer.
Officials of the environment too have gone on record to concede that tapping of drains would not be feasible with the skeleton funds available with the department. They too have relied solely upon the STP.
It was upon suggestions of a section of high court lawyers to the state government that a proposal was sent to the Union government for amendment in the Act so that cess charges could be realised from all industrial units located in the district. The lawyers had proposed to set up a Ganga fund. It was envisaged that greater the size of the unit, the higher cess charge be levied upon it.
However, calculations have revealed that even if the proposal saw the light of the day, the revenue realisation would not be sufficient to introduce desired changes.