No progress on construction of pucca ghats before Mahakumbh

The state government has allocated Rs 256 crore for the Mahakumbh in this year’s budget. Earlier,the High Court had asked the UP Irrigation Department to consult specialists,who would carry out a study for ensuring that the ghats constructed on river Ganga should be such that the water flow is maintained at all times. The High Court had pointed out that the river has tendency of changing its course and,therefore,construction of ghats would be rendered meaningless if constant water flow is not maintained on the ghats.

The irrigation department had engaged a government agency,Water and Power Consultancy Limited,for the task and there have also been suggestions to construct something on the lines of Har Ki Paudi in Haridwar,where the flow of Ganga is channelised through concrete embankments. However,the work is yet to be completed.

The report was to be submitted by the department by May 21 before the High Court. “The report is yet to be submitted. I cannot comment further as the matter is sub-judice,” said Mela officer,M P Mishra.

A K Gupta,amicus curiae in the PIL,hearing which the High Court had passed the direction,said that the matter has been posted for further hearing on July 13. “There are other proposals also,which the HC is apprised of. It will have to be seen how many of these are accepted by the government,” said Gupta.

An officer associated with Mahakumbh preparations,speaking on condition of anonymity,said that the delay in submitting the report will mean that the actual work will start much later. After the feasibility report will be submitted,the process of calling for tenders will take its own time,said the officer. Further,with the rainy season on the anvil,the pace of construction works will get slowed down.