Bharalu- The Dying River

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 16, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

The residents are also responsible for dumping waste materials in designated dumping grounds and using green and blue dustbins. A combined effort of citizens and authorities is the need of the hour for a cleaner Bharalu.

Digital Desk|: Bharalu, a tributary
of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, serves as the natural drainage of the city,
carrying sewage and waste materials from markets, commercial establishments,
hotels, restaurants, schools, and so on. The depleting state of the river is now
a major concern that needs immediate attention. The obnoxious smell from the
river is another reason for the health-related issues of people residing in
Guwahati. The view of Bharalu from Bhangagarh is no less. People residing
nearby the river show the utmost concern and are worried about its future
state. Ramen Das, a nearby resident, says, "It is mankind who is
responsible for the dying Bharalu." A 92-year old resident of Anil Nagar,
near Bhangagarh area, recollects his childhood days. He used to play and walk
along the Bharalu River when he was a primary school kid. "The river was
clean and flows from the Khasi Hills to the Mighty Brahmaputra. But now we
cannot walk due to foul smell and encroachment, "he comments.

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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> The Guwahati
Municipal Corporation (GMC) and other concerned authorities must design long
term strategic plans to clean and rejuvenate the present depleting state of
Bharalu alongside proper treatment of sewage before disposal. The residents are
also responsible for dumping waste materials in designated dumping grounds and
using green and blue dustbins. A combined effort of citizens and authorities is
the need of the hour for a cleaner Bharalu.

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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">  "Times New Roman"">

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">According to
conservationists, in the last 50 years, the tributary has become akin to a
heavily polluted drain, becoming the root cause of severe flooding in the city. "Times New Roman"">

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> As the
Brahmaputra is the main source of drinking water for Guwahati city and its
neighbouring areas lying on both sides of the riverbank, it is important that
the inputs to the river through the tributaries are not excessively loaded with
pollutants. Moreover, the pollution level at Bharalu is regarded as one of the
major sources of contamination, affecting the overall quality of Brahmaputra’s
water. 

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Of the 44 polluted
river stretches in Assam, three rivers - Bharalu with a river stretch from
Guwahati to Chilarai Nagar, Borsola stretching along Sarabhati area in
Guwahati; and Silkaso in the Chachal area of the city are marked under priority
1 of the polluted river stretch as per CPCB with a BOD level of 52.0 mg/l, 34.0
mg/l, and 34.0 mg/l, respectively, and the action plans for the same are yet to
be received by the CBCB. mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">  "Times New Roman"">

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">The State Pollution
Control Board has marked Bharalu as one of the most polluted river stretches in
the country, falling under Priority 1 as per CPCB with a BOD level of 52.0
mg/l, hence making it totally unfit for drinking and bathing purposes.
Moreover, the pollution level at Bharalu is regarded as one of the major
sources of contamination, affecting the overall quality of Brahmaputra’s water. "Times New Roman"">

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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">The IIT Guwahati
source informed us that the water of the Bharalu river is contaminated by industrial waste and chemicals, and if treated properly, this can also be used
as fertilizer if discharged to paddy fields after reducing the unwanted
substances it carries. mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">The source also
informed us that hardly 4 km from Bharalumukh, where Bharalu discharges its
dirty water, Gammon India is working on a project, installing pipelines and
plants to intake water from the Brahmaputra river to meet round-the-clock water
supply to every location in Guwahati.