Varanasi is less polluted than Lucknow despite having a much higher population density, according to latest studies.
Varanasi scored favourably over Lucknow on parameters of air pollution, water pollution and municipal solid waste, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has noted in its latest report (March 31, 2016). The report was tabled in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday and factored in studies conducted between 2011 and 2015 by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the U.P. Jal Nigam.
The audit report noticed that the water pollution in river Ganga near Varanasi and air pollution in Varanasi during the period 2011-2015 was less than that of the river Gomti in Lucknow. As per the 2011 Census, Varanasi has a population density of 2,395 persons per square km while the figure for Lucknow 1,816.
Quality improves
Further, while the water quality of the Ganga in Varanasi improved, that of the Gomti in Lucknow is deteriorating, the report says. The total coli form content of the Ganga in Varanasi decreased from 48,000 mpn/100 ml in 2011 to 44,000 in 2015, the coli form content in the Gomti shot up from 1,02, 666 mpn/100 ml in 2011 to 1,36, 667 in 2015.
While the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) level in the Ganga decreased from 6.22 mg/l to 5.09 mg/l, it increased in the Gomti from 7.9 mg/l to 12.96 mg/l. On the other hand, the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the Ganga in Varanasi increased from 7. 14 mg/l to 7.40 mg/l it decreased in the Gomti in Lucknow from 3.1 mg/l to 0.88 mg/l.
“The main reason for improvement in water quality [in Varanasi] was closure of 181 grossly polluting industries along the Ganga,” the CAG notes.
Dirty air
Lucknow also fares badly in parameters of air pollution. The annual average of PM10 (particulate matter) levels in the State capital capital was 163.91 mcg/cum to 191.36 mcg/cum during 2011-15.
In comparison, the PM10 level yearly average in Varanasi was 125.55 mcg/cum to 147.90 mcg/cum. It was, however, way above the prescribed level of 60 mcg/cum.
According to the CAG, the vehicular population of Lucknow at 16.76 lakh units was more than double that of Varanasi, leading to greater levels of pollutants. The CAG also described the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board’s efforts to check air pollution as “inadequate.”
Lucknow also generates more municipal solid waste than Varanasi. The total waste generation in Varanasi was 928.84 MT/day against which only 600 MT /day is being treated in treatment plants.
In Lucknow, the total municipal solid waste was 1670 MT/day against which a treatment plant of 1300 MT/day is still under trial. The total sewage generation of Varanasi, 404 mld, was also lower than that in Lucknow, 675 mld.
The CAG also observed that the water quality of major rivers and six water bodies in the State was below the prescribed standard.
