Bhadaini Ghat: Quite 'ill' yet supplies water to city

VARANASI: Extracted, exploited and left, these three words aptly describe the condition of Bhadaini Ghat, better known as water supplying ghat of the city that quenches the thirst of the people. The water pumping stations and water intake works possessing towering structures at the ghat make it round-the-clock lively ghat. The ravaged stairs and broken platforms at the imposing ghats have made it a pass-by ghat in the southern parts of the city.
When TOI visited the ghat on Monday, it presented a disorganised look with ravaged stairs and broken platforms, parts of which found to be immersed into Ganga. The banks of the ghat gave a shoddy look, with heap of garbage and wastes including rotten flowers, garlands and plastic bags dumped along the stairs. The ghat also carried debris of ravaged boats, the wooden structures found to be scattered along the stairs and platforms. Devout queued up to take holy dip into the Ganga along the neighbouring Janki ghat, none could dare to perform the act at Bhadaini ghat.
Apart from construction of standing wall made of brick and stone for water pumping station in early part of 20th century and another construction of wall for raw water intake works about 15 years back, the ghat has not witnessed any efforts to give it strengthened and renovated look. It remains one of the worst ghats during the monsoon season, when the holy river swell and every year it takes toll on pucca stairs and stony platforms. People refrain from taking bath at the ghat, as it is one of the most dangerous ghats to perform the act, said Lallan Majhi, one of the local natives and septuagenarian boatmen residing in the area.
It may be mentioned that water is lifted and pumped at Bhadeni raw water pumping station and taken to Bhelupur water works, where it is treated stored and distributed. The raw water extracted from Ganga at Bhadeni gets treated at the two water treatment plants in Bhelupur water works.
The water intake facility at the ghat was witnessing new look. The old circular pipes to extract water to prevent overflow during monsoon was found to be non-functional and choked with stones and pebbles lying in the pipe. Similarly, unhygienic drains at the ghats were also found to be oozing water, which was flowing directly into the Ganga without any check points.
According to Usha Shahi, one of the family members of rulers of Sitamarhi state in Bihar, which has properties including the old building at the ghat, a number of efforts have been made in the past to attract attention of district officials and Varanasi Nagar Nigam to ensure maintenance of the ghat, but all the efforts have turned futile. It is one of the most important ghats, supplying water to almost half the city. It deserves better treatment.
Regional tourism officer Dinesh Kumar said that it was not included among the seven ghats that witnessed renovation and beautification project in 2008-09. He maintained that there is no immediate proposal to start renovation and facelift of the ghat.
Historical significance: The Bhadaini Ghat is the most famous and sacred Ghat in Varanasi. This Ghat is named after the famous sun shrine. It is also related with Bhadaini Teerth, one of the important Jain Teerth (pilgrimage).
The history of this teerth starts with the 11th teerthankar of current chouveesi Shri Shreyansnath Bhagwan. It is the place of four Kalyanak of Shri Shreyansnath Bhagwan. Some part of the history of this period is provided with Bhelupur Teerth.
The ghat has not witnessed any efforts for its renovation. It remains one of the worst ghats during the monsoon season, when the holy river swells and every year it takes a toll on the pucca stairs and stone platforms.