Varanasi: In a development raising serious environmental and public health concerns, allegations have surfaced regarding the real-time discharge of untreated sewage and raw human excreta into the River Ganga at the Gangadwar–Manikarnika riverfront in Varanasi.
The issue assumes national significance as the Ganga is a declared National River, and the Manikarnika riverfront forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative-listed Historic Riverfront of Varanasi. The site is also recognised as a Phase-I Swachh Bharat “Iconic Site,” and the city was designated the first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism and Cultural Capital.
Matter Raised Before Authorities, Supreme Court Grants Liberty
The concern was formally raised before competent authorities, including through a detailed representation submitted on September 17, 2025, to various departments and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Supreme Court has recently granted liberty to the petitioner Badaravada Venugopal @ Baba Khatarnak to approach the appropriate statutory authorities in accordance with law. Following this order, fresh representations have been submitted to the concerned authorities. However, it is alleged that the discharge of untreated sewage continues.
The Court, while not entering into the factual controversy at this stage, permitted the petitioner to pursue remedies before statutory bodies empowered under environmental and municipal laws.
Environmental and Public Health Implications
The alleged discharge of untreated waste into the Ganga raises critical questions of: Compliance with zero-discharge and sanitation norms, Enforcement of environmental protection statutes, Public health safeguards for residents and pilgrims, Protection of heritage riverfront zones
The site at Manikarnika is among the most spiritually and historically significant ghats in India, drawing millions of pilgrims annually. Any unchecked sewage discharge could pose risks to water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and those who bathe in or use the river water for ritual purposes.
Tourism, Economy and Heritage at Stake
According to government data, Varanasi recorded a footfall of 7.26 crore tourists in 2025. Since the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, officials estimate that the project has generated an economic impact of approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore, benefiting Varanasi and the wider region.
In a city with over three millennia of continuous civilisational history and a rapidly expanding tourism-driven economy, the continuation of untreated sewage discharge, if verified, may have implications not only for environmental governance but also for heritage preservation and economic credibility.
Call for Independent Scrutiny
The contrast between the city’s declared national and international recognitions and the alleged on-ground sanitation lapses has prompted calls for independent national-level scrutiny.
Photographic documentation, dated site inspections, and copies of representations submitted to authorities are reportedly available for verification.
The matter now awaits response and action from the statutory authorities approached pursuant to the Supreme Court’s liberty order.