Green court concerned over Clean Ganga project

In a clear disapproval of the pace at which the clean Ganga project is being executed, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday wondered why any deficiency should be there when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described it as a paramount national project.

The tribunal said time has come for it to issue appropriate directions in connection with cleaning of the river, environment and public health. 

“The Prime Minister took cleaning of river Ganga as paramount national project and the Finance Minister has provided Rs 20,000 crore for cleaning of the river in five years. This being the government’s aim, we see no reason why there should be any deficiency in the execution of the project,” a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.

Expressing concern over the reduction of natural flow of river, the Bench said from Haridwar onwards it reduces from 31,000 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs, which further gets reduced at Kanpur to its minimum.

 

“On one hand, there is tremendous decrease in the flow of the river and on the other, there is an increase in pollutants, primarily due to sewage and secondly due to seriously polluting industries," the Bench said.

The Bench said: “The time has come when the tribunal must not hesitate to pass appropriate order and direction in relation to cleaning of river Ganga, environment but also with public health.”