My general observations recorded in August 2014 on the status of river Ganga seem to be strengthened and reinvigorated with the report of Irrigation Department of U.P Government. The holy river is choked by waste from 40000 km of drains.
No cosmetic touches on the river front near Varanasi will result in a transformation from a dirty sea of sewage into a holy river worth drinking, bathing anytime in the near future. An extraordinary effort alone over a period of 5-10 years as suggested by me in the following manner can perhaps satisfactorily resolve this Himalayan-level issue!
Till at least one hundred years back, the activities of the human settlements along its course had not created any major sources of pollution luckily, thanks to the limited use of water and the resultant sewage. Although the human numbers multiplied and the quantum of usage of water increased tremendously over the last few decades, the citizens failed to protect the clean waters from high doses of pollutants.
The alternative approach which I envisage would comprise the following components for proper execution of Ganga Project:
Two major teams -
1) one is to cover the stretch of river Yamuna from Delhi to Allahabad
2) and the other is to cover river Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi.
Like Swami Vivekanand, I too seek the help of 100 young Indian officers to test our ability to clean Ganga with the full support of the Prime Minister.
Each team to comprise of 50 IAS officers and 50 engineers - selected from across the country on a voluntary basis and put under two highly qualified and committed officials with rich experience (around 50 -65 years in age) both physically and mentally fit for leading the projects for at least next five years.
Process of implementation:
Make a survey of all the effluents and identify their intensity and quantum of flow into the river for six months at least including a monsoon.
Take steps to divert them to a comparatively longer distance already selected and kept ready for the intake and permanent treatment. It would simultaneously involve construction of permanent drains on a massive scale throughout the length and breadth of the towns on the banks with large scale investment of funds.
Take the help of religious leaders and create alternative cremation grounds near Varanasi and provide for the cremation with Ganga water -to satisfy Hindu belief and tradition without spoiling the river waters.
Widening of the lanes and roads leading to the Ghats with proper alternative accommodation provided for the occupants by erecting multi-storied apartments and condominiums in the neighbourhood.
Strictly closing down the polluting industrial units near the river and shifting them to alternative sites partly compensated by the state for their rehabilitation.
Offer for voluntary service
I am willing to relocate myself and settle down on the banks of Varanasi Ghats for a period of five years - to lead a team of officials put in charge of Varanasi town with Re. One as monthly honorarium and a small accommodation of two-room tenement/apartment for stay with a chauffeur driven car for mobility at government cost.
Qualifications:
"Shramdan in laying of kutchha roads and cleaning of drains in dalit colonies with the help and manual work (scavenging) of ladies and gents from Lions Club and Rotary Club on Gandhi Jeyanti days when I was collector in two districts and the divisional commissioner in Sagar revenue division.
Cleaning of Sagar lake twice as collector (1979-82) and commissioner ( 1990-92) at Sagar on the basis of shramdan due to nonavailability of paid labour even during the drought conditions ( labour easily engaged in bidi-making)
Received an award from international Rotary Club Movement for public service at Sagar.
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