Kumbh: HC to hear plea challenging ‘change made in Ganga’s flow’

PRAYAGRAJ: An application filed before the Allahabad high court has sought a stay on the action of Prayagraj administration wherein it is allegedly digging out sand at Sangam thereby changing the flow of the Ganga so that more land is made available for allotment to saints and other religious bodies during the Kumbh 2019.

The court has fixed the case for next hearing on December 10.

A bench of chief justice Govind Mathur and justice YK Srivastava will hear the application.

It is contended in the application, filed by amicus curiae in the Ganga pollution matter Arun Gupta, that during Kumbh in Prayagraj, 15-16 crore pilgrims are expected to take holy dip in the Ganga. Every year, Ganga water is released during Magh Mela for holy bathing.

It has been said that because of the change in the flow of the Ganga, there is a possibility of disturbance in the ecosystem. The applicant has also asked the court to direct the state government to release sufficient water for holy dip during Kumbh Mela.

The application is filed in a public interest litigation petition relating to Ganga pollution pending in the high court.

IT IS CONTENDED IN THE APPLICATION, FILED BY AMICUS CURIAE IN THE GANGA POLLUTION MATTER ARUN GUPTA, THAT DURING KUMBH IN PRAYAGRAJ, 15-16 CRORE PILGRIMS ARE LIKELY TO BATHE IN THE GANGA