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River Ganga is deserting Kanpur

The deserted bathing ghats are the only indication that the River Ganga once flowed close to the industrial city of Kanpur.

Now, the situation is alarming -- the river is shifting course at a furious pace.

The main stream of the river, which was 7km from the intake point, Kanpur's water source, at Bhairon Ghat has shifted 2km north in the past year. This has raised the spectre of a severe drinking water shortage in the city, once known as India's Manchester.

According to an official report, the Ganga first changed course in 1945, but continued to flow along the city till the early 1960s. However, when it continued its northward shift, a plan to build a barrage was floated.

Three decades on, construction of the barrage is still to begin.

The bathing ghats, which once bustled with religious activity, are now in disrepair. Not surprisingly, as the holy waters have been replaced with a massive open sewer. The nauseating stench from effluents pumped in at several points along the 7km stretch between Bhairon Ghat and the old Ganga bridge serve as a stark reminder that precipitate action alone can bring the Ganga back.

The shifting could spell disaster for Kanpur. Water scarcity has affected business, and the religious rituals that bring to life the banks of the holy river have all but disappeared, concerned citizens say.

Maintaining adequate rain water supply to the city requires regular dredging which costs the Kanpur Jal Sansthan, the agency concerned, Rs20 million per annum, official sources said.

But widespread dissatisfaction over the tardy implementation of the Ganga Action Plan, aimed at cleaning the river, and the delay in building the barrage has brought several non-government organisations and local people to the fore.

"The Ganga Action Plan and the Ganga barrage project should be linked and the Centre should release funds without delay," says an official of the Eco-Friends, a non-governmental organisation. He wanted the formation of a Ganga vahini comprising people from all walks of life to create awareness and support for the projects.

UNI

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