Rs5K fine on cruise mgmt for draining sewage into Ganga

Varanasi: Investigating on basis of evidence from a viral video, UP Tourism department slapped a fine of Rs 5000 on the operators of the Alaknanda luxury cruise for emptying untreated sewage into the Ganga. UP Pollution Control Board too started investigation into the issue to prepare a petition against the operator. Based on outcome of its investigation, UPPCB could slap a penalty of up to Rs 2 lakh for the punishable act.Talking to TOI, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar said on Wednesday, "Immediately after the issue came to light, UP tourism, which has a memorandum of understanding with the private company operating cruises in the river Ganga, along with UPPCB, were asked to look into the matter. Under the MoU, there is provision for imposing a penalty of up to Rs 5,000 by tourism department for violations of clauses. Tourism department slapped the penalty after completion of its investigation." Another action is being taken by UPPCB, which can slap a penalty of up to Rs 2 lakh. It already issued a notice to the company, said the DM, adding that since the hearing process is lengthy in UPPCB's investigation, it will file a petition by framing charges based on the outcomes of its investigation. The amount of fine to be slapped by UPPCB will become clear on completion of this process, said the DM, who monitored the initial investigation by the tourism department and also UPPCB.
During the investigation by govt departments, it came to light that tanks are installed on cruises for collection of sewage and other liquid waste. All sewage is transferred to bio-digester tanks placed near Samne Ghat on a weekly basis through pipes. However, for major maintenance, which happens every 2-3 months, emergency valves are opened. The viral video showed emptying of untreated sewage into the Ganga by the cruise staff. The company issued clarification to investigators that when the emergency valve was opened, someone on the cruise used the washroom and the sewage fell directly into the Ganga through the emergency valve's opening point.However, local boatmen alleged that it was a common practice by cruise owners and marks at the disposal point of the emergency valve were sufficient to prove it. They also said that whenever there was monthly maintenance, there was a flush-out from the boats to clear pipelines, and as the stuck waste comes out in a deteriorating condition, it leaves stains.The DM said that during UPPCB investigation, it would be clear what method was adopted to clean the pipeline through emergency valves and whether the bio-digester tank was functioning or not.