M C Mehta of Astha, that was rechristened Kalyaneshwari, has called for an immediate halt on the Phase-II of the Ganga Action Plan. Mehta who was one of the driving force in the movement for cleaning the Ganga, said that the first phase of the Ganga Action Plan was a total failure.
In fact, a study conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the water treatment plant set up for the purpose, indicates that majority of the treatment plants are non-functional in one way or the other. "Although Rs 600 crore was spent on the project, Ganga has remained polluted as before," explained Mehta.
"The second phase of the project that is planned to replicate Phase one will once again be a failure if not done differently, he added. "Another Rs 600 crore of public money will be spent without any use," lamented Mehta. An independent expert committee should be set up for drawing up a new project for the purpose, he added.
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Meanwhile, Mehta is trying to create awareness against asbestos pipes used for supplying drinking water in the villages.
Asbestos is carcinogenic and as such the water being supplied through it is unfit for human consumption. Asbestos pipes are used for the purpose on a large scale in rural India and Astha is trying to convince the government of the fallout's of such pipes. But the government the central as well as the state is inclined in not replacing the pipes with safer ones.
Mehta argues, if the pipes are safe, since the government did not declare it as hazardous to health, why are such pipes not used for supplying water to apartments and residences of ministers.