NASHIK: Following the High Court order, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had appointed security guards on a contractual basis in the Godaghat area to keep watch over polluters. Initially, there were more than 90 security guards. The Godavari river originates at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik. Ramkund has a unique significance from a religious point of view. Kumbh Mela is held here every twelve years.
As various religious rituals are performed here, devotees from all over the country flock here throughout the year. Devotees take a dip in the Godavari river and release light lamps into the river as a part of Godapujan. This has led to the creation of nirmalya in the Godaghat area. In addition, women and citizens used to wash clothes, vehicles and animals at Godaghat area, Petitioner Dewang Jani raised the issue in the High Court and it directed the NMC to keep the Godavari clean and pure.
Accordingly, security guards were appointed in the Godaghat area. Earlier, security guards were posted in the area from Ramkund to Talkuteshwar, Tapovan, Nandur, Manur and Dasak Ghat. At present, there are only three to four security guards in the Ramkund area, informed Sanjay Darade, divisional sanitary inspector, Panchavati division.
It is being alleged security guards are not doing their duty honestly. Though it is their duty to prevent citizens from dumping nirmalya and garbage in Ramkund and Godaghat area and to stop citizens from washing clothes, they are not doing it properly Businesses and citizens here have expressed their outrage over this. They are demanding to increase the number of security guards here.
