Birgunj, Oct. 25 -- Even during the Chhath festival, pollution in the Sirsiya river in Birgunj has shown no sign of decline, angering local residents.

Locals say industries operating along the Parsa-Bara Industrial Corridor continue to discharge untreated waste into the river, disregarding the religious sentiments of devotees who perform rituals on its banks.

Brijeshwar Prasad Chaudhary, secretary of the Sirsiya river and Birgunj pollution-free campaign, said that the factories have been defying repeated requests to stop dumping industrial residue into the river during the festival.

"In previous years, industries would halt waste discharge at least a week before Chhath, but this year they have continued without concern," he said.

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