Prevent immersion of bodies in rivers: Centre

NEW DELHI: Following reports of scores of dead bodies found floating in Ganga and its tributaries in wake of the second coronavirus pandemic wave, the Centre has directed states to prevent dumping of bodies in the river and focus on their safe disposal, and ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to carry out an overall monitoring and surveillance of water quality.

“Namami Gange directs states to prevent dumping of dead bodies in the Ganga and focus on their safe disposal and providing support for ensuring dignified cremation,” the Jal Shakti Ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Over the past week, close to1,000 bodies were either fished out of the Ganga or found in shallow graves on river banks in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Local administration suspect the bodies could be of Covid patients but testing is difficult because the corpses are decomposed.

On Saturday, officials from the Jal Shakti ministry; the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG); Central Pollution Control Board held a review meeting with the representatives of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments where it was decided that state pollution control boards will be roped in to keep a check on the river water quality while the CPCB will monitor the overall surveillance. “We may approach appropriate laboratories for water sampling like the national institute of virology (NIV) to understand what are the chances of the viral infection spreading through water. Other parameters will also be studied,” said a senior official from CPCB.

“The situation is being followed up with several districts like Unnao, Kanpur rural, Ghazipur, Balia and Buxar, Saran in Bihar...,” said Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, NMCG Director General, who was present at the meeting.

Officials representing the Uttar Pradesh government -Rajnish Dubey, Addl Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Anurag Shrivastava, Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti, UP and Project Director, State Ganga Mission said that district magistrates have intensified patrolling at the ghats to prevent dumping of dead bodies in Ganga. The state Panchayati Raj Department has announced ₹5,000 aid for cremations in rural areas.

Anand Kishore, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Project Director, State Ganga Mission said that the state government will bear the cost of cremations and burials of Covid-19 patients.