Dehradun: Devotees at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar will miss the flow of the river Ganga, as authorities have ordered stopping the water for a fortnight for annual cleaning.

The order has been issued by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation department, which still controls the Ganga in Haridwar even after Uttarakhand was carved out of the state.

During the closure period, the department would carry out the work of cleaning along the banks of the river as well as the Bhimgoada Barrage, official sources said here today.

The flow of the Ganga would remain disrupted at Har-Ki-Pauri till Oct 27,they said. During the period, Ganga will flow along its natural path at Haridwar.

The order has, however, been strongly resented by the locals and priests. Sri Ganga Sabha, a body of priests at Har-Ki-Pauri, criticised the order during the festival season, saying the period was very crucial for pilgrims.

The business community at Haridwar has also resented the order.
Source : PTI