The Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Gujarat and the Atal Bridge, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drives people to take photographs and selfies. But the quality of water has always been a subject of debate.
And now, fearing that the “polluted water” can lead to skin diseases among athletes, the Triathlon event, as part of the 36th National Games, has been moved from Ahmedabad to IIT Gandhinagar.
Sixty-two athletes are to take part in the event to be held between October 9 and 11. The event comprises of 750-metre swimming, 20-kilometre cycling and 5-kilometre road race.
Sources said that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had tested the water samples at regular intervals, but still decided to shift the venue. Normally, swimming as part of Triathlon, is not held in the swimming pool, but had to depart from the usual practice at the ongoing games.
Ironically, the venue was selected despite the fact that last year the Gujarat High Court had rapped the AMC and Gujarat Pollution Control Board officials for the pollution in the river.
Originating from the Aravalli Hills in neighbouring Rajasthan, Sabarmati is a seasonal river and for the past couple of years, the Gujarat government has been diverting Narmada waters into the river.
Environmental activist Rohit Prajapati, who is also part of the Joint Task Force to monitor rejuvenation and stop the pollution sources, told THE WEEK that it is unfortunate that Narmada waters have to be released into the Sabarmati.
He said that when the Sardar Sarovar Project was conceived, giving water to Ahmedabad was not in the initial plan. It was meant for drinking and agriculture supply in Saurashtra and Kutch regions.
Prajapati said the fact that the event had to be shifted shows the gravity of the pollution.
