The Ganga Canal will remain closed until November 8 for annual maintenance, desilting and ghat redevelopment, affecting irrigation water supply across 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haridwar in Uttarakhand and seven districts in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“The closure of the Ganga Canal is a routine annual procedure necessary for maintenance and desilting. Following approvals from higher authorities and the UP state government, the canal has been closed from Tuesday midnight until midnight on Deepawali. Ghat repair and redevelopment work will also be undertaken during this period. Meanwhile, Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam asked authorities to maintain an uninterrupted minimum water flow at Brahmakund at Har Ki Pauri to enable pilgrims and locals to perform daily rituals.
All relevant departments and stakeholders were informed well in advance,” sub-divisional officer of the UP irrigation department Bharat Bhushan said. Senior UP Irrigation Department officials said that field officers in Uttarakhand had been instructed to ensure adequate water levels were maintained at Har Ki Pauri throughout the closure period. However, pictures showing Har Ki Pauri without water went viral on Wednesday.
