350 industrial units in Kanpur shut for Magh Mela to preserve ‘sanctity’ of Ganga

To maintain the purity of the Ganga during the Magh Mela, authorities have ordered the closure of around 350 industrial units in Kanpur for 46 days. (PTI Photo)

In view of the Magh Mela that began on Saturday in Prayagraj, around 350 industrial units in Kanpur were directed to suspend operations for 46 days to maintain the water quality and “sanctity” of the Ganga river throughout the festival period, officials said.

There are 288 tanneries, while the rest are chemical and other units. These will remain shut from December 31 to February 15, officials said.

Officials said it takes nearly three days for the Ganga’s water to reach Prayagraj from Kanpur, making the enforcement crucial ahead of the Mela. An extensive inspection drive by teams comprising officials from various government departments, including the Jal Nigam, the Municipal Corporation and the Pollution Control Board (PCB), is underway to ensure strict compliance.

“Round-the-clock inspections are being carried out across the district to ensure compliance. Nearly 350 unit owners were intimated a week in advance to shut their operations from December 31. Eight inspection teams have been constituted to monitor the units,” said Ajit Kumar Suman, Regional Pollution Control Officer, Kanpur.

Officials said the PCB prepared a detailed closure roster and communicated it to all industrial unit owners last month, outlining the timeline and compliance requirements for shutting down operations during the Mela period.

An official said the industrial units are shut to ensure the “uninterrupted flow and purity of the river Ganga during the Magh Mela”. He added that while units are permitted to carry out dry work during the closure period, all wet processes that could lead to discharge of effluents into the river are strictly prohibited.

The 44-day-long Magh Mela, which began on January 3, will continue till February 15. Lakhs of devotees thronged the banks of the Sangam on Day 1 for the first major bathing ritual of Paush Purnima.

Last week, in a meeting to conduct a comprehensive review of the preparations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the Mela is not merely a religious gathering, but a living expression of India’s Sanatan tradition, social discipline and administrative excellence.

An estimated 12 to 15 crore devotees are expected to visit the Mela, with the possibility of more than 3.5 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Sangam on peak days such as Mauni Amavasya. Accordingly, extensive arrangements are being put in place.

Major snan days include Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri.

The CM had said, “Ensuring a safe, clean and well-managed environment for devotees arriving from across the country and abroad remains the government’s foremost priority.”