Nitin Gadkari visits Parmarth Niketan camp at Kumbh

ALLAHABAD: Union minister Nitin Gadkari visited Parmarth Niketan camp at the ongoing Kumbh mela on Friday.

The minister held a brief discussion with Swami Chidanand that was centered on advancing the spread of the Geotube physio-remediation water treatment programs.

Chidanand first brought this technology as a pilot plan in Rishikesh last year, creating India's first 'Sewage to Selfie point' through a combined effort of European scientists and Indian engineers.

The central and state government of Uttar Pradesh were so impressed with success of these projects that they are also utilising this technology proactively to clean up the nalas (sewers) flowing into the Yamuna and Ganga rivers, especially in Prayagraj ahead of the Kumbh Mela, to purify the waters in which the tens of millions of pilgrims have taken holy dip.

During their meeting, Swami Chidanand emphasised to bring the technology to the Assi and Varuna rivers and to create more 'Sewage to Selfie points' in major cities along the Ganga, such as Kanpur and Patna.

He lauded the efforts of the National Mission for Clean Ganga and was glad to be assured by the Union minister that by 2020 no untreated sewage would run into the holy river.

"When our rivers are clean, our nation is healthy. When there is Ganga, there is tomorrow. As Ganga thrives, India thrives. If we let Ganga die, India dies", Chidanand said.

Chief minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani also visited the Parmarth Niketan on Friday.

Rupani said, "Pujya Swamiji's slogan 'beti hai to kal hai aur Ganga hai to jal hai' is the need of the hour. The protection of the girl child, ending child marriage and saying yes to her education and empowerment is crucial for the progress of our nation."

"Similarly, without Ganga there is no life and it also plays a crucial role in the protection of the mother nature and the preservation of the future of festivals like the Kumbh Mela that are entirely centered around her flowing waters," he added.