5-km water bypass channel to ease pressure on Ganga ghats
The channel originates near Ramnagar opposite the Assi Ghat and will empty into the Ganga near Rajghat
VARANASI : A five-kilometrelong water bypass channel is being developed along the Ganga from Ramnagar to Rajghat in Varanasi for easing the water pressure on the iconic ghats of the pilgrim town during the rainy season, officials said.
The channel, which originates near Ramnagar opposite the Assi Ghat and will empty into the Ganga near Rajghat, is being created by dredging the sand on the unpopulated bank of the river opposite the ghats.
The work started in March and is likely to be completed by June 15. Uttar Pradesh Projects Corporation Ltd general manager Pankaj Verma said, “A five-kilometre-long channel is being developed parallel to the Ganga in Varanasi from Ramnagar to Rajghat in order that the pressure caused to ghats by deep water (during rains) could be released through it. What is unique about it is that both ends are connected to the Ganga.”
The corporation, a UP government undertaking, has been given the responsibility of carrying out the project. Verma said it has been designed in such a way that 25% of the Ganga water in Varanasi will flow through the bypass channel throughout the year.
“Additional water from the Ganga will enter the bypass channel at its genesis point near Ramnagar and will flow though it and fall into the Ganga near Rajghat,” Verma said.
Besides being five-kilometre long, the bypass channel is 45 metre wide and six metre deep. The cost of the project is around Rs 11 crore. Varanasi divisional commissioner Deepak Agarwal said on the suggestion of the experts, the bypass channel was being created to protect the ghats from pressure caused by the increased water level during the rainy season. Eighty-four ghats along Ganga stretch between Ramnagar (on the opposite side) and Rajghat.
A senior officer associated with the project said a group of experts, including civil engineers, architects and environmental experts, conducted a study a few years ago. The study revealed that the Ganga was 15 to 20 metres deep at various ghats.
The experts said the increase in the water level during the rainy season put more pressure on the ghats, which may be threat to them in the future. Some arrangements should be made to release the pressure, they suggested. The officer said that the project was planned and permission from forest and environment department was taken for it.
After that, the UP Projects Corporations was asked to carry out the work.
Ganga activist Rajesh Shukla said, “The water level increases manifold in the Ganga during heavy rain. The bypass channel would be good only if it meets the purpose and the increased water, which creates pressure on ghats, flows through it.” Environmental activist Ekta Shekhar said she doubted that the channel would have capacity to face the flood water pressure and sustain in case of a flood.
THE STUDY REVEALED THAT THE GANGA WAS 15 TO 20 METRES DEEP AT VARIOUS GHATS.