Lucknow:
In a bid to make clean and continuous flow of water available in the river Ganga during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad next month, the UP government has issued directions for shutting down industrial units that discharge pollutants in the river, officials said on Friday.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Javed Usmani on Thursday asked the concerned district magistrates to constitute a committee for inspection of polluting industries and ensure that they are closed within three days, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.
He also asked for ensuring that eight industrial units banned by the UP pollution control board, including distilleries and leather units in different districts remain closed.
Uttarakhand government has also assured full co-operation in controlling pollution, the spokesperson added.
The chief secretary has also directed for release of additional 2,500 cusecs of water in the Ganga between January 1, 2013 to February 28 and 1,500 cusecs of water from March 1 to 7.