 Ashwani Sharma
Early Times Report
Udhampur, Mar 3: The historic Devika River- the biggest tributary of Ganga in Udhampur is dying a slow but sure death, thanks to the apathy of the people and the negligence of the government.
The River has become a garbage dumping place and the time is fast approaching when its mention shall be found in history books only.
Earlier a number of Hindu rituals used to be performed at the banks of the river but that glory seems to be over now.
A year ago, MoS PMO Dr Jatinder Singh had announced Rs 170.54 crore for cleaning, maintenance and development of the river under "National River Conservation Plan" (NRCP). However, to this day nothing has moved.
Different political, religious, social and other organizations have asked the district administration and other concerned at State and Union level to urgently intervene to take remedial measures.
Advocate Rahul Jandial said the government is playing with religious sentiments by ignoring the river.
The locals have also urged the government to retrieve the encroached land around the River. |
