India: Ahead of Trump visit, river gets water, slum a wall

By Cheena Kapoor

NEW DELHI, India (AA) - Preparations are in full swing in India to receive U.S. President Donald Trump early next week.

In order to make this two-day trip memorable, Trump is scheduled to visit world-famous monument Taj Mahal in Agra, and to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home city Ahmedabad, where he is expected to address a gathering of around 100,000 people.

Since the condition of Yamuna River that flows along the Taj Mahal is deplorable, the government has ordered to divert water from the Ganga River to give a feel-good sense to Trump, and to keep the stink away, once he takes pictures in the background of white marble monument Taj Mahal.

In a statement issued on Tuesday the Uttar Pradesh State Irrigation Department, confirmed that they have diverted about 14,000 liters (500 cusecs) of water, that will reach Agra on Saturday afternoon, two days ahead of Trump's visit. The additional water will improve condition of the river, which looks like a big stinky drain.

The Yamuna River -- also known as the Jamna, originating from the Himalayan Yamunotri Glacier -- is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world, since it travels industrial belts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh provinces and bisects Indian capital New Delhi.

"Keeping in mind U.S. President Trump's visit to Agra, 500 cusecs of water have been released from the Ganganahar [Ganga Canal] to improve the environmental condition of the Yamuna River. This water will reach the Yamuna in Mathura by Feb. 20 and Agra by Feb. 21 afternoon," said Dharmendra Singh Phogat, superintending engineer at the Irrigation and Water Resources Department.

- Quick-fix solution

Experts, however, see the measure of releasing water from another canal to make the visiting dignitary feel good, a temporary solution. It may improve the oxygen level in Mathura and Agra, but will hardly have an impact on the quality of the river water.

“This is just a paint and brush solution, not a long-term remedial solution. They are not curbing the problem, just beautifying is not going to help in the long-run. There are no proper sewer systems. All the domestic waste is going into the water bodies," said Mahreen Matto, program manager, Urban Water-Waste Management, Centre for Science and Environment.

He said that despite spending millions of dollars on the Ganga, the problem has not resolved. “We are not getting to the source of the problem. We need to look at preventive and curative measures,” he added.

“Yamuna River is gasping for life. It is dying and we are killing it. Much before you see the river, you smell its nauseating stench from a distance. When you get to see it, the river looks like a sewer. All you can see is dark grey stale polluted waters, covered with toxic white foam which floats over it," said Matto.

- Wall to hide slums

Another major program lined up for Trump is a reception at Ahmedabad, capital of the western Indian province of Gujarat. The home province of Modi is arranging a million people, who will welcome the U.S. president from the airport to a sports stadium.

Thousands of school children have been roped in, who will waive Indian and U.S. flags as Trump’s convoy passes on the road.

Over 3,000 dancers will be performing at different crossroads to give him a glimpse of the Indian culture of India during his 12-minute drive.

What has become a piece of major concern among people is the building of the 400-meters long and seven meters tall wall in Ahmedabad to hide the slums. Over 45 slum localities in different parts of the city have been asked to vacate areas near the roadside.

The security agencies in Gujarat have been directed to cage-up street dogs to avoid any animal invasions. In 2015, ahead of the visit of the then U.S. President Barack Obama to India's national capital New Delhi, authorities had sterilized over 30,000 stray dogs. As many as 16,000 monkeys were caught and sent to sanctuaries, reported news agencies.

According to aviation authorities, 60 international and domestic flights have been rescheduled in Ahmedabad due to Trump’s visit. According to an estimate of local daily the Hindu BusinessLine, India will be spending 93 billion rupees ($1.3 billion) on Trump's two-day visit.