Environmentalist Agrawal sits on fast in Haridwar

HARIDWAR: Noted environmentalist G D Agrawal has begun an indefinite fast over the cleanliness of Ganga river in Matri Sadan ashram.

Agrawal, who has fasted several times in the past over the issue, began his stir yesterday and said if the announcements regarding cleanliness of Ganga river are not implemented wholeheartedly, he would also leave the water after "Falguni Purnima".

Construction of dams on river Ganga, shifting its water through canals, draining of effluents into the river are still continuing despite an assurance from the Prime Minister in this regard, he said.

Agrawal had sat on the fast in 2008 in Uttarkashi district on the bank of Bhagirathi, a tributary of Ganga, forcing the Uttarakhand government as well as the centre for scrapping of three major projects-- 480 Mw Pala Maneri, 381 Mw Bhaironghati and NTPC's 480 Mw Lohari Nagpala.