Will the Ganga Barrage reduce the drinking water scarcity problem in Kanpur?
Mr Mahendra: It is being hoped that after the bridges come up, Ganga water will touch the ghats. But only when clean water comes from upstream to the Barrage will the real problem of pollution be solved otherwise everything will come back to square one. We will continue getting unclean water. What do you think about the pollution being caused by the leather-making units? Mr Mahendra: The present plight of Ganga is mainly because of the tanneries. They empty all their leather waste into the river. Tannery owners are most indifferent to the pollution problem. Everybody knows that the tannery wastewater is toxic. So why aren’t the politicians, who call themselves representatives of the people, raising their voice against it? The administration is indulged in eye washing and knee-jerk activities. It says that it is closing the leather industries in phases. Actually, it is doing nothing. Even if it is closing the units, why in phases? Why isn’t it closing all the tanneries which are illegal
