Practical Puja for Ganga
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  • Build a sewer close to the river front to carry all sewage from buildings in this dense area rather than pump the sewage up to the road. This would relieve the pressure on the old sewers and stop all outfalls of sewage into Ganga. This sewer could start at the Assi Nalla, and should be built so that no sewage flows into Ganga as it moves through the city.
  • Use gravity to move the sewage north of the city through this sewer. If the river can flow in that direction, so can sewage. This is preferred to electricity and pumps for transporting sewage.
  • In tropical climates oxidation ponds for the treatment of sewage are preferred to other methods employed in colder climates. The construction, operations, and maintenance costs are less. Expertise in oxidation ponds is well-developed in India. Oxidation ponds can treat fecal coliform.
  • Involve citizens in the entire decision-making process so that parallel changes in behavior can emerge and the government itself will be accountable for maintaining standards of effectiveness. The citizens of Varanasi feel great shame about the condition of the river and need to be involved in the many changes that will remedy the situation. In this way, civic pride can develop and other changes could be achieved by the social context.
  • Lay sewers in the new development of houses and hotels being built in the south (upstream) of the city. At present, houses, hotels and other buildings are illegally dumping sewage into the Assi. Since this area is developing so quickly, a plan for sewers must be a high priority.
  • Repair the electric crematorium and make sure it continues to work. It needs to be given an adequate repair budget. A new crematorium needs to be built for animal carcasses.
  • The treatment of fecal coliform should be a priority for all sewage treatment plants to be constructed in India. A design which does not treat these parasites should not be permitted to be built. Technology is now being tried in India known as UASB sewage treatment plants. This type of sewage treatment does not kill parasites and is not the most appropriate for human sewage.
  • A river guard should be re-established to patrol the river front and discourage those individuals who would toilet inappropriately, use soaps and engage in other disrespectful behaviours.

Manushi, Issue 97

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