Kamal Ghorui
HARIDWAR: Illegal settlements along the Upper Ganga Canal in Haridwar have emerged as a major source of pollution in the Ganga, with residents in several areas allegedly dumping waste directly into the river. In localities such as Rajiv Nagar Basti and Sonia Basti, household waste is being discharged into the Ganga, while untreated sewage and wastewater from homes are also flowing directly into the river, significantly increasing pollution levels. The issue was flagged by a local councillor from Sonia Basti, who wrote to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry seeking intervention. Following this, the municipal corporation approached the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department, urging it to take action against encroachments on its land along the canal. The Upper Ganga Canal, constructed in 1854 by British engineer Proby Thomas Cautley, is a key irrigation source for western Uttar Pradesh and also supplies drinking water to the Delhi-NCR region. It is currently operated by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department. Officials said nearly a 3-km stretch along the river, from Rishikul to Jawalpur, has been encroached upon over the years, restricting access to the riverbank at several points. This has made it difficult for sanitation workers to carry out cleaning operations, while residents continue to dump domestic waste into the river. Hundreds of families have been residing illegally along the riverbank for years, further complicating efforts to manage waste and maintain cleanliness. Deputy Commissioner Deepak Goswami said, “A councillor raised complaints about Ganga pollution, and action was initiated. However, encroachments have blocked access to several stretches, making garbage removal difficult. We have written to the UP irrigation department to clear the encroachments so the site can be cleaned.”
