The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to release 5,000 cusec of water into the Ganga following the threat issued by the sadhus and saints attending the Ardh Kumbh Mela that they would take “jal samadhi’ if they did not get fresh water in the Ganga. The Ganga in Allahabad has not only become highly polluted, following discharge by tanneries in Kanpur, but the water level has also receded drastically in recent months.