Varanasi DM Fines Alaknanda Cruise ₹5,000 After Sewage Discharge Video Goes Viral.

Varanasi DM Fines Alaknanda Cruise ₹5,000 For Dumping Sewage In Ganga

VARANASI: Acting swiftly on the viral video showing sewage discharge into the River Ganga, Varanasi District Magistrate (DM) Satyendra Kumar has imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on the operators of the Alaknanda Cruise.

The Incident: A video recently surfaced showing fecal matter being discharged from the cruise's valve directly into the river at Ravidas Ghat. The Pollution Control Board immediately issued a notice seeking an explanation.

The Explanation: A probe committee formed by the Municipal Corporation investigated the matter. The cruise operators claimed that the vessel was undergoing maintenance and the septic tank was clean. However, a staff member accidentally used the toilet while the "emergency valve" was being checked, causing the waste to bypass the tank and fall into the river.

New Orders: Along with the fine, the DM has ordered the operators to install a holding tank on the emergency valve to ensure that even in such scenarios, no waste enters the holy river. Meanwhile, local boatmen have expressed anger, claiming that authorities are lenient with big cruise operators while being strict with small boatmen.