Kanpur: As many as seven teams have been constituted to check the functioning of tanneries in Kanpur and keep a tab on them in view of the upcoming Magh Mela slated to be held from January next year.
The UP pollution control board has issued a roster for all industrial units which are likely to pollute water during Magh Mela. All such units have been asked to close their production three days before each holy bath. The Magh Mela, which will be held from January 14 to March 11, will have six bathing days.
DM Alok Tewari constituted seven teams to monitor the functioning of tanneries a few days ago.
Anil Mathur, an official of regional pollution control board (Kanpur) informed, “Each team will be led by an additional city magistrate, and will consist of one member each from state pollution control board, Ganga pollution control unit, Jal Nigam and a police department.
Talking to TOI, Mathur informed that six teams would be deputed at Jajmau and one team would be deputed at Panki industrial site. He stated that besides the Magh Mela roster, earlier schedule for the operation of tanneries and other units would also be enforced. According to the earlier roster, tanneries attached to pumping station no. 1 and 2 will operate with 50% capacity in the first fifteen days, and tanneries attached to pumping station no. 3 and 4 will operate in the next 15 days.
Anand Kumar, regional pollution control board officer of Kanpur Dehat and in-charge of Kanpur office, the teams will check the industrial units and their discharge from time to time and take action in case of violation. He informed that the first bath of Magh Mela will be held on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), and hence, all units will be shut from January 11 to 14. Likewise, second bath will be held on January 28 (Poush Purnima) and units will be shut from January 25 to 28.
Third holy bath will take place on February 11 (Mauni Amavasya) and industrial units will be shut from February 8 to 11. Fourth holy bath will be on February 16 and units will be closed from February 13 to 16. Fifth and sixth holy baths will be on February 27 (Maghi Purnima) and March 11 respectively, and hence, units will be closed from February 24 to 27, and from March 8 to 11.