PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Jan 28: The controversy over much talked about Domuhani Aarti Ghat in Subernarekha refuses to die down as both Banna Gupta, state health minister also MLA from Jamshedpur West and his bete noire Saryu Roy the MLA from Jamshedpur East assembly constituency are at daggers drawn over the controversial issue.
On the one hand, Banna Gupta has recommended Rs 50 lakh for the construction of Subarnarekha Aarti Mandap in Domuhani from the MLA fund, whereas on the other, Roy, who is already an intervener in a PIL on encroachment on the river ghat, has warned of moving to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), a pollution watchdog.
Terming it an ambitious project Gupta, said the amount will be spent on beautification including Aarti Mandap at Domuhani.
“Subernarekha is the lifeline of Jamshedpur. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect it. The river has religious and cultural significance,” he said.
Cooperation will also be sought from corporate houses and major business sections of the city for the conservation and beautification of the lifeline river.
The minister said that plans will also be chalked out for developing Marine Drive as a tourist destination.
Notably, on the lines of Ganga Aarti, Swarnarekha Aarti was performed at Domuhani Ghat during the Makar Sankranti celebration on January 14 this year.
After inspecting the Marine Drive, the Health Minister said that fruit trees will be planted along the Marine Drive, and lighting will be arranged along with seating arrangements.
Meanwhile, in a recent tweet to the chief minister, Hemant Soren, Roy questioned the construction of Aarti Ghat on the banks of river Subernarekha in Domuhani.
The MLA said, “On whose orders the sanctity of the river is being disturbed by the use of earth-moving equipments. This is an illegal act and I am not going to tolerate this.”
The Ganga Aarti signifies tall blazing fires lining the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi resplendent against the evening sky.
Local residents of Jamshedpur got to witness a similar spectacle at Domuhani on the evening of the Makar Sankranti celebration.
” Whatever the case the Domohani Aarti Ghat may be an apple of discord between the two heavyweight politicians but residents won’t forget this year’s aarti. We want the project to happen as it is in the larger interest of the people,” said Sumanta Mukherjee, a resident of Sonari.
