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Chhath Puja marred by Hindon River's toxic waters
14 Nov
Summary
- Devotees reported low, contaminated water levels unfit for rituals.
- UPPCB data shows dangerously high coliform levels in the Hindon.
- Officials claim water supply is sufficient, expected to improve.
As Chhath Puja commenced, devotees gathered at a Hindon river ghat near GT Road in Ghaziabad expressed deep concern over the water quality. They reported the river's levels were low and heavily contaminated, rendering it unsuitable for bathing or performing religious ceremonies. Concerns were raised that annual maintenance on the Upper Ganga Canal, which supplies the Hindon, exacerbates the pollution issue during the festival season.
Data from the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) for September revealed coliform concentrations at 310,000 most probable number (mpn)/100 ml, vastly exceeding the permissible limit of 2,500 mpn/100 ml for bathing water. Officials from the UP irrigation department countered these claims, asserting that sufficient water was released from Jani in Meerut. They suggested that continuous water flow would eventually wash away accumulated dirt.
Despite assurances, UPPCB officials classified the Hindon river under category 'E', indicating its unsuitability for bathing and appropriate only for industrial purposes. They acknowledged the contamination from upstream sources but expressed hope that increased water flow from the Upper Ganga Canal, with maintenance concluded on November 9, would improve the situation in the coming days. UP Jal Nigam confirmed water release from Haridwar and expected it to reach Ghaziabad shortly.
