KANPUR: To provide devotees clean and clear water for holy dip during Kumbh festival, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has released roster regarding closure of industries situated on the bank of Ganga.Since tanneries are said to be the main source of river pollution, therefore, UPPCB has released closure roaster of leather tanning and other industrial units. As per roster, tanneries and other industrial units, situated on the bank of Ganga and its tributary Pandu in Kanpur, would remain fully closed for four consecutive days for each holy bath.According to sources, river water reaches Allahabad from Kanpur in three days, therefore the closure would be made effective three days before the holy bath. As the first holy bath would be on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (January 15), the industrial units would be closed from January 12. The second bath, Paush Poornima, would take place on January 21, therefore, the units would remain closed from January 18 to January 21.The third holy bath will be on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on February 4, therefore, the units would be closed from February 1. The fourth bath would be on February 10, the Basant Panchami day, therefore, the industries would remain fully closed from February 7 to February 10. Maghi Purnima will be the fifth bath to be observed on February 19, therefore, all industries would remain closed from Februay 16 to February 19. The sixth and the last holy bath will take place on March 4 on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, and, therefore, the industrial units would be shut down from March 1 to March 4.According to Kuldeep Mishra, regional pollution control board officer, at present 248 tanneries are being permitted to operate with 50 per cent capacity. During Kumbh, they would continue to work with fifty per cent capacity but on roster days would remain fully closed.He said UPPCB had also directed the industrial units to install a web camera at their effluent treatment plant and connect the same with main surver of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).To maintain water quality and take quick action against polluting industries, a special monitoring cell and control room exclusively for Kumbh fair had been raised at UPPCB headquarters in Lucknow. The monitoring cell and control room would work 24x7, he said. The cell will focus on zero discharge industries through live web cameras, and would release a bulletin in UPPCB portal daily in the evening, he added.

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