Omkareshwar: Narmada River Polluted by Sewage Ahead of Simhastha 2028

• Dirty drain water, including sewage from hotels and residential areas, is directly flowing into the Narmada River at Omkareshwar, Khandwa district.
• Devotees face foul smell and filth at bathing ghats, making it difficult to take a holy dip.
• Many Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) built for crores are either defunct, shut down, or not operating at full capacity, exposing development claims.
• Congress alleges administrative negligence, stating that the direct discharge of sewage hurts religious sentiments and questions the sanctity of Narmada.
• District Collector Khandwa, Rishav Gupta, stated that shut STPs have been restarted, and pending house connections will be completed within two weeks.

Why It Matters: Omkareshwar's Narmada River is severely polluted by sewage due to defunct STPs, raising concerns ahead of Simhastha 2028.