Namami Gange: Machines become junk as Clean Ganga Mission crawls

Machines and equipment worth several crores for Namami Gange project are catching dust. The aim of this ambitious project was to free the Ganga from pollution by cleaning the river thoroughly.

Prayagraj: National Mission for Clean Ganga an ambitious project of the Central Government aimed at restoring the sanctity of River Ganga. Unfortunately, machines and equipment worth several crores of rupees deployed for this project are lying unused and inhibiting rust.

These machines are gathering dust and the administration and the authorities concerned are least bothered. Most of these machines are used to extract waste from the Ganges.

The administration wakes up from its monstrous slumber and swings into action only during the Hindu month of Maagh or Kumbh Mela, which is held in the district. Only then these machines are put to use, which is more a formality than anything else.

The Central government launched the Namami Gange project in 2014 with the aim of making the Ganga clean. The aim of this ambitious project was to free the Ganga from pollution by cleaning the river thoroughly, treatment of industrial waste and so on. However, if one looks at these machines, he won’t be able to say if these machines were ever used to clean the river.

The devotees bemoan that the condition of Ganga water has been such that it cannot be used for any religious ritual, which involves the consumption of holy water by humans. They say that no work is being done by the administration to keep the Ganga clean. The devotees believe that the machines were brought but their use was not seen anywhere on the ground due to which the water of the Ganga is no longer clean.

When the Mela Authority officials were contacted for comments, they said that these machines have not been procured by them but by the authorities of the Municipal Corporation under the Namami Gange Mission. So far, the Namami Gange Mission is getting support from different non-government organisations and other institutions, which keep organizing awareness rallies and campaigns to keep the Ganga neat and clean.

In the city of holy confluence, the traditional Maagh Mela will be held even during the corona period.

The administration will ensure that corona protocol is strictly followed during the Mela time. However, the Ganga water, which is considered as a symbol of faith, is not fit for human consumption while performing any religious ritual.