Natural water purification method ensures river cleanliness, saves crores: Yogi Adityanath
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that purifying water using natural methods will not only ensure river cleanliness but also result in savings of crores of rupees.
According to an official statement, the chief minister inaugurated a municipal corporation project worth Rs 2.70 crore to purify wastewater entering the Rapti River using the natural method of phytoremediation.
Addressing the gathering at the event, Adityanath said, "Water purification through natural methods will clean the rivers and also save crores of rupees. There will be no electricity costs or maintenance expenses involved in this method."
During the ceremony held at Takia Ghat, the chief minister praised the initiative, saying, "The efforts made by the municipal corporation to keep the Rapti River in Gorakhpur clean, continuous, and beautiful are commendable. This is a significant step taken to preserve fertility and life."
He emphasised the importance of clean water, stating, "Great people have always considered water as life. From 1977 to 2017, around 50,000 innocent children in Gorakhpur and Eastern Uttar Pradesh lost their lives to encephalitis and vector-borne diseases caused by contaminated water."
Adityanath said contaminated water and filth were the primary causes of deaths due to viral diseases. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, the Swachh Bharat Mission was implemented nationwide.
Urban areas witnessed the implementation of the Amrit Mission for clean drinking water, while rural areas benefitted from the Jal Jeevan Mission, he said.
Through the 'Har Ghar Nal' scheme, clean drinking water is now being supplied to every household, he said.
"Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts to preserve the river culture began with the Namami Gange project. Today, as a result, the world's largest religious and spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh, will be held on Uttar Pradesh's soil, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj, from January 13 to February 26," the chief minister said.
"Gorakhpur is situated along the banks of the Rapti and Rohini rivers. Efforts are being made to purify these rivers, which are the origin of our civilization and culture," he said.
He noted that earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had been imposing penalties on the municipal corporation due to the discharge of polluted water into the Rapti River.
"The municipal corporation had proposed constructing an STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) at a cost of Rs 110 crore. We suggested adopting a natural method of water purification instead. Today, the positive results are for everyone to see," he said.
The chief minister said that following natural water purification, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) has reached a pure state, with the BOD level at the discharge point recorded at 22.
"If all drains and sewers connected to drainage systems are managed similarly, we can use this natural model to achieve better outcomes at lower costs and ensure the purity of water, which is essential for life," he added.
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Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleges ₹1 crore bribe offer for Padma award during UPA regime
New Delhi: Former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar has alleged that he was offered a bribe of ₹1 crore for a Padma award during the Congress-led UPA regime in 2010. Chandrasekhar claimed that the offer was made in recognition of his contributions to the telecom sector.
The BJP leader made this revelation on January 5 through a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the UPA government of corrupt practices in awarding civilian honours. The Padma Awards, which include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are among India’s highest civilian awards, recognising excellence in various fields such as arts, education, literature, and science.
Chandrasekhar's allegations came shortly after US President Joe Biden conferred the Medal of Freedom on several dignitaries, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and football legend Lionel Messi.
There has been no immediate response or denial from any members of the former UPA government regarding the allegations.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2024, served as the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship from 2021 to 2024.
