By Ranjan Kumar Amritnidhi,Delhi

The recent monolithic devastating oil spill in the Ganga
river near Unnao in UP on September 15 is completely a result of unsuccessful repair of a major breach that kept endangering aquatic
biodiversity and human life.

This three metre long breach caused by the changing river course and strong Gangetic water current is located near Khannapur village,Achalgunj,UP.The gushing oil was firstly seen by fishermen who started collecting oil in the big containers.After some time there was a quarrel for the natural oil floating in the Ganga.

According to the IOC letter and DM,CPN Upadhaya -”The under water pipe had suffered a minor damage earlier,the breach was plugged but the repair remained unsuccessful.The point of leakage only grew wider as the gushing water corroded the steel pipes.The very
strong current made the next level of repair extremely difficult to undertake.The fuel that spilled into the river was highly inflammable and could still catch fire.Coming under risk was the population of nearly 50,000 that lives along the Ganga in Kanpur and Unnao.”

“The IOC oil pipe was ruptured by the strong current of the river Ganga.The steel pipeline at the time of being laid was buried at a depth of two metres in this region at least one km away from the river.But it came under water when the river changed it’s course.
Our point is water current that is so furious at this time washed away the soil cover in a span of 200 metres bringing the pipes in direct contact with water, it loosened the joint and the pipe hung,
while ruling out the possibility of corrosion.The pipes are given anti-corrosion and anti-water coatings.” the IOC CEO Anil Tondon said.

This devastating oil spill in the river Ganga near Unnao (20 km away from Kanpur)in UP is a result of forceful current of the river Ganga and little official delay in the repairing of the breaches of the IOC pipeline in the Ganga.

This aquatic eco disaster in the Ganga near Unnao has caused greatest aquatic biodiversity loss.Huge population of fish,turtles and other aquatic flora and fauna lost their lives.IOC officials later sprinkled chemical to reduce the oil pollution in the Ganga.

Recently Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and other Hindu saints prayed the God for the Protection of the holiest river Ganga of the world from the Oil Pollution and Environmental Pollution at Kanpur.

Guddu Baba of Patna is also doing a praiseworthy job for the Preservation of the endangered Holy river Ganga.

Let’s unite and work together for the Cleanliness and Preservation of the river Ganga for life.