Ganga’s sacred ghats turn to ruin as maintenance collapses

Ghats (a flight of steps leading down to a river) developed along the Ganga in Haridwar are in shambles. Developed as part of the ambitious Namami Gange programme, ghats developed in various areas are now in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance on different stretches.

Ghats in Shyampur and the Bhogpur present a disappointing picture, for instance. toilets and bathrooms made for the public in these areas are completely damaged. The doors have been taken off while taps and other fittings have been removed with there being no proper water supply facility. Rampant littering by some members of the public has turned these facilities into garbage dumping points with there being no proper cleaning or maintenance arrangement to maintain the level of sanitation and facilities. The local residents state that anti-social elements tend to throng these areas during the evening. Due to this, most women and families prefer to avoid visiting such areas during the evening. Facilities like toilets and bathrooms have also been vandalised in some areas.

The condition of the crowded Chandighat in Haridwar is not much better. The area is engulfed in darkness after sunset due to the absence of a proper lighting system. Locals state that the risk of mishaps and thefts increases here after sunset due to the absence of proper lighting. This situation affects the safety of pilgrims and tourists while also affecting the religious sanctity of the Ghat, they add. Though considerable sums were spent on these developments along the Ganga, the authorities have not made proper arrangements for maintenance work. These ghats lack security guards, sanitation workers and a monitoring system, due to which the intended purpose of developing these ghats has not been fully achieved yet, observers opined. Had the ghats and facilities been maintained properly, pilgrims and others would have had options to bathe in the Ganga instead of visiting the crowded ghats in the city.

On being asked about this issue, the Namami Gange, Uttarakhand project director Vishal Mishra said that since this issue has now been brought to his cognisance, the officials concerned will be directed to conduct an inspection of these ghats . Efforts will also be undertaken for the maintenance of the ghats and a probe will also be conducted to ascertain to whom these ghats were handed over after construction, he added.