UP Tourism Department fines Alaknanda cruise Rs 5,000 for Ganga sewage dumping
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has taken strict action against the operators of the Alaknanda luxury cruise in Varanasi. Officials imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the cruise company for discharging untreated sewage directly into the holy Ganga river.
Investigation triggered by viral video evidence
Authorities launched their investigation after a viral video surfaced online. The footage clearly showed cruise staff emptying untreated sewage into the river waters. This visual evidence prompted immediate action from multiple government departments.
District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar confirmed the developments on Wednesday. He stated that both the UP Tourism Department and the UP Pollution Control Board received instructions to investigate the matter as soon as it came to light.
Tourism department completes initial investigation
The tourism department completed its investigation first. Under their existing memorandum of understanding with the private cruise operator, they found provisions for imposing penalties up to Rs 5,000 for violations. Based on their findings, they promptly slapped the maximum fine of Rs 5,000 on the company.
"The tourism department imposed the penalty after completing its investigation," District Magistrate Kumar told reporters. "This action falls under the MoU clauses that allow such fines for violations."
UPPCB prepares for stronger penalties
Meanwhile, the UP Pollution Control Board has initiated its own separate investigation. This probe could result in much heavier penalties against the cruise operator. UPPCB officials confirmed they can impose fines up to Rs 2 lakh for such environmental violations.
The pollution control board has already served a formal notice to the cruise company. However, their investigation process involves a lengthier hearing procedure. UPPCB will file a formal petition based on their investigation outcomes before determining the exact penalty amount.
"UPPCB will file a petition by framing charges based on their investigation results," explained District Magistrate Kumar, who monitored both investigations. "The final fine amount will become clear once this process completes."
Cruise sewage system under scrutiny
Investigations revealed important details about the cruise's waste management system. All luxury cruises operating on the Ganga have installed tanks for collecting sewage and liquid waste. Normally, this waste gets transferred weekly through pipes to bio-digester tanks located near Samne Ghat.
However, emergency valves exist for major maintenance that occurs every two to three months. The viral video captured staff opening these emergency valves and discharging untreated sewage directly into the river.
Conflicting explanations emerge
The cruise company provided an explanation to investigators. They claimed that when maintenance staff opened the emergency valve, someone on board used the washroom. According to their version, sewage accidentally fell into the Ganga through the emergency valve opening point during this coincidental timing.
Local boatmen strongly contested this explanation. They alleged that cruise operators regularly dump sewage into the river as common practice. These boatmen pointed to visible marks at the emergency valve disposal point as evidence of repeated dumping.
"It happens regularly," one boatman stated. "During monthly maintenance, they flush out pipelines and the deteriorating waste leaves clear stains."
Ongoing investigation seeks clarity
The District Magistrate emphasized that UPPCB's investigation will address several crucial questions. Officials will determine exactly how the cruise operators clean their pipelines through emergency valves. They will also verify whether the bio-digester tanks function properly as intended.
These findings will significantly influence the final penalty decision by the pollution control board. The dual investigations demonstrate serious governmental concern about protecting the Ganga from pollution violations by commercial operators.
