New Delhi: BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s statement that he chose to file his nomination papers from Varanasi because “mujhe Ganga ne bulaya hai” has struck an emotive chord amongst hydrologists and environmentalists working to clean up Indian rivers.
“It is obvious that Mr Modi means business and will show political will to clean up this 2,500-km holy river,” said Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
Mr Misra, along with other environmentalists, has put together five key points to help restore the river to its original glory.
Outlining them, Mr Misra said, “The river and sewer must never meet and Mr Modi needs to ensure that water withdrawn from the river should never go back into it. Ganga’s tributaries need to be given equal importance. The name Varanasi comes from combining two tributaries of the Ganga- Varuna and Assi which also need to be restored.”
Prof. Vikram Soni of Jamia Milia Islamia believes Mr Modi needs to come up with strong legislation to ensure industrial units do not discharge effluents into the river.
