The Kanpur Administration has buckled up ahead of Magh Mela festivities in UP and has directed the UPPCB (Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board) to shut down all tanneries & factories situated on the banks of Ganga in Kanpur's Jajmau. The directive calls for the closure of all industrial set-ups situated on the river banks to prevent factory discharge in the water body. As per reports, the upcoming Magh Mela will be held in Prayagraj from January 14 next year.

Measures to check water contamination ahead of Magh Mela 2022

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The regional centre of UPPCB at Kanpur has written to the Tannery Associations asking them to shut tanneries for 2-3 days before the bathing days of the Magh festival. This will ensure that factories do not generate or dispose of discharge into the water bodies. A 4-day roster has been scheduled for the same, informed Anil Mathur, Regional Officer of the UPPCB. The tanneries will be shut for a total of 24 days, with respect to the 6 major bathing days, during the festival.

An inspection committee of the administration, under the supervision of the District Magistrate, will keep a check on cases of violation. As per the Regional Officer, this team will inspect the site in case of breach of order and take strict actions or impose fines against the defaulting tannery.

Here's the factory closure schedule

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The first bathing day in the Magh Mela is on January 14, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, due to which all industrial units on the bank of the river will be shut from January 11 to 14. Likewise, the second bathing date is on January 17 on Poush Purnima, marking the factory closure from January 14 to 17.

The third bathing date is on Mauni Amavasya on Feb 1, for which the production will shut down from January 29 to February 1. The fourth bathing day will be on February 5 for which the units will be closed from February 2 onwards.

Fifth and sixth bathing days will be on February 16, marking Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri on March 1 respectively. Tanneries will shut down production from February 13 to 16 and then from February 26 to March 1, in wake of the same. As per this roster, the tanneries would be closed three days before the bathing dates. All production can resume as usual after the festival.