CAG Report Raises Concern on Rising Pollution in Kshipra | 22 Mar 2024

According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor general (CAG) of India, despite interventions of several state government agencies, Kshipra river continues to remain polluted.

It points out that because of the mismanagement of the Kshipra sub-basin and the indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater, the natural flow of the river has been reduced.
The report states that waste of local urban bodies has been flowing into the river.
Insufficient treatment of industrial waste, pollution on the riverbed have led to deterioration of Kshipra water quality and its tributaries.
The CAG has recommended in its report that Madhya Pradesh pollution control board must ensure proper and sufficient watch on industries.
The report on the public works department mentions delay in completion of under-construction bridges in the state and stated that out of 72 sample bridges which were examined across five divisions between October 2020 and September 2021 only nine had been completed on time.

It is a perennial river of Madhya Pradesh state
It originates in the Vindhya Range from a hill called Kakri-Tekdi, which is in the north of Dhar and situated at a distance of 11km from Ujjain.
This river is 195 km long, out of which 93 km flow through Ujjain.
It flows across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River.
Religious Significance:
- The Puranas, or ancient Hindu texts, put forward that the Kshipra originated from the heart of Varaha, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as a boar.
- Also on the banks of the Kshipra is Sage Sandipani’s ashram or hermitage, where Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s eighth incarnation, had studied.
- It finds mention not only in ancient Hindu texts but also in Buddhist and Jain scriptures.
- The holy city of Ujjain is located on the right bank of the Kshipra River. The famous Kumbha Mela takes place in the ghats of this city, once every 12 years, a yearly celebration of the river goddess Kshipra.
Its major tributaries are Khan and Gambhir.