Clean up operation for Gujarat river

The authorities in the western Indian state of Gujarat have begun a major operation to clean up the Sabarmati, one of the country's most polluted rivers.

They are building a new sewage treatment plant to clean up effluent and rubbish dumped in the river which runs through the commercial city of Ahmedabad.

A BBC correspondent in the city says the situation is made worse by the fact the river is dry for most of the year.

Our correspondent says Indians are emotionally attached to the river, which is associated with the freedom struggle because of a centre or ashram set up by Mahatma Gandhi on its western banks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service