No progress on construction of pucca ghats before Mahakumbh

The fate of three pucca ghats, which were to be constructed on River Ganga ahead of Mahakumbh, appears to be hanging in balance. With only six months to go for the mega festival, even the feasibility report on constructing the ghats is yet to be submitted before the Allahabad High Court.

The three ghats on Ganga are supposed to be constructed at Naraini Ashram, Dashashwmedha and Chhatnag. A total of eight pucca ghats are to be constructed on Ganga and Yamuna ahead of the Mahakumbh to be held in January 2013. The authorities concerned, however, said that the process of construction of five ghats on Yamuna — Arail, Boat Club, Bargad, Balua and Qila Ghat — has been set in motion.

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.

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