In a significant move to safeguard the purity of the Ganga river, authorities in Uttar Pradesh have mandated the closure of approximately 350 industrial units in Kanpur for a 46-day period. This directive coincides with the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, a major Hindu pilgrimage and festival.
Extensive Shutdown to Ensure River Sanctity
The shutdown order, which came into effect on December 31, 2023, will remain in force until February 15, 2024. Officials stated that the decision is crucial to maintain the water quality and spiritual sanctity of the Ganga for the millions of devotees taking holy dips at the Sangam in Prayagraj. The closed units include a significant number of 288 tanneries, with the remainder being chemical and other manufacturing plants.
The enforcement is timed based on the flow of the river. It takes nearly three days for water to travel from Kanpur to Prayagraj, making pre-emptive action essential. An official emphasized that the goal is to ensure the "uninterrupted flow and purity of the river Ganga during the Magh Mela." While dry work is permitted, all wet processes that could lead to effluent discharge are strictly prohibited during this period.
Rigorous Inspection Drive for Compliance
To ensure strict adherence to the closure order, a comprehensive monitoring operation is underway. Eight inspection teams, comprising officials from the Jal Nigam, Municipal Corporation, and the Pollution Control Board (PCB), are conducting round-the-clock checks across the district.
Ajit Kumar Suman, the Regional Pollution Control Officer in Kanpur, detailed the preparations: "Round-the-clock inspections are being carried out... Nearly 350 unit owners were intimated a week in advance to shut their operations from December 31." The PCB had prepared and circulated a detailed closure roster to all affected industrial owners last month itself, outlining the timeline and compliance requirements.
Magh Mela: A Convergence of Faith and Administration
The 44-day Magh Mela began on January 3, 2024, and will conclude on February 15. The festival witnessed a massive influx of devotees from its very first day, Paush Purnima, with lakhs thronging the Sangam for the sacred bath. The event is projected to attract an estimated 12 to 15 crore pilgrims in total, with peak days like Mauni Amavasya potentially seeing over 3.5 crore people taking the dip.
Major bathing dates during the Mela include:
- Paush Purnima
- Makar Sankranti
- Mauni Amavasya
- Basant Panchami
- Maghi Purnima
- Mahashivratri
In a review meeting, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the Mela's significance, calling it a "living expression of India’s Sanatan tradition, social discipline and administrative excellence." He stated that ensuring a safe, clean, and well-managed environment for devotees from across the globe is the government's top priority, underpinning the extensive logistical and environmental preparations like the industrial shutdown in Kanpur.
