Ganga Sabha launches breathalyzer drive at Har-ki-Pauri

Haridwar: Ganga Sabha, the body of teerth purohits responsible for upkeep of the Har-ki-Pauri, launched a breathalyser drive to nab "drunken pilgrims" on Sunday. Around 20 private guards were deployed with alcometer at all four gates of Har-ki-Pauri. Initially, only suspected pilgrims will be checked and handed over to the police for legal action, Ganga Sabha officials said. Interestingly, police officials denied having any information about the drive and claimed that Ganga Sabha did not contact them. SHO city police station Amarjeet Singh told TOI, "We do not have any idea about the campaign of the Ganga Sabha and they did not contact us in the matter.”

Several recent incidents have been reported in which tourists were caught drinking liquor on the river bank in Haridwar and Rishikesh after which state police launched 'Operation Maryada' to reinforce to people the need to stay within limits while visiting religious spots.

General secretary of Ganga Sabha, Tanmay Vashistha, told TOI, "It is our responsibility to maintain the dignity of Har-ki-Pauri. So, we have launched a breathalyser drive to curb menace of people who come to these sacred places and consume liquor. It is our own initiative to stop such activities which is why we have not informed the police.”