The National Mission for Clean Ganga’s (NMCG) executive committee has approved a massive ₹1,062 crore for various conservation projects aimed at improving the health of the Ganga River ahead of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. The projects include sewage treatment plants, drainage improvements, and awareness campaigns, demonstrating a significant commitment to the river’s rejuvenation.
A portion of the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge, under construction over the Ganga River in Bihar, India, has collapsed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and more details are awaited.
Schools in Haridwar will be closed for a week from July 27th to August 2nd due to the large influx of devotees participating in the Kanwar Yatra. The decision was made to ensure the safety and manage the crowds during the religious pilgrimage. The Kanwar Yatra, which began on Monday, sees devotees from various states travel to collect Ganga water during the holy month of Sawan.
Four people, including two minors, drowned in the Ganga river in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh for each of the families. The incident occurred when a group of friends were swimming and one person began struggling in the strong current.
A video of foreign nationals wearing bikinis at the sacred Ganga Ghat in Rishikesh has sparked outrage on social media. While some users condemned the act as disrespectful to the sanctity of the river, others defended it, arguing that Hinduism embraces various forms of expression. The incident highlights the clash between cultural sensitivities and individual freedoms.
Torrential rainfall in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar has led to severe flooding, submerging vehicles and raising concerns about the rising water levels of the Ganga River. Authorities have issued warnings to avoid the river and its banks due to the potential for further flooding and debris falling from the hills.
A boat carrying devotees capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar’s Barh on Sunday, leaving six people missing. The incident occurred near Umanath ghat while the boat was carrying 17 people, mostly from a single family, to Diara. Search and rescue operations are underway involving local authorities, police, and the state disaster relief force.
A 20-year-old man named Mohit Kumar from Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district died after being bitten by a snake. Instead of seeking proper medical treatment, his family decided to immerse his body in the Ganga River, believing it would cleanse the poison. Despite keeping the body in the flowing water for two days, Mohit did not survive. The incident has sparked outrage online, with many criticizing the prevalence of superstition and the lack of scientific temper in the country.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the demarcation of floodplain zones along the Ganga and Ram Ganga rivers in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district. The move follows a plea alleging illegal construction by GAIL in the floodplains of the rivers. The district magistrate’s report states that Rs 1.12 crore has been allocated to the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) for the demarcation process, which is expected to be completed within 12 months.
