A massive citizen-led cleanup at the historic Sadar Ghat has catalyzed a major political commitment to revive the Adi Ganga, Kolkata's ancient and long-neglected waterway. Decades of industrial and municipal neglect had turned the once-thriving trade route into an open sewer, but a vibrant three-day community campaign has pushed the river's ecological restoration back to the top of the government's agenda.
Political Acknowledgment and Commitment
Backed by the grassroots momentum, local MLA and minister Swapan Dasgupta stated, "This is part of the original flow of the Ganga, yet it currently resembles a drain." He noted that 70 distinct municipal points continue to dump raw effluents into the waterbody. "Rejuvenation of the Adi Ganga is a priority for us. Alongside the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), we will take possible steps to revive this sacred river. An alert citizenry plays a vital role, and I deeply appreciate the work of these volunteers," he said.
Dasgupta revealed that the central government had allotted Rs 630 crore for the Adi Ganga under the Namami Gange program. He emphasized the need to evaluate how much was spent and what outcomes were achieved from the projects.
Three-Day Awareness and Ecological Drive
The three-day awareness and ecological drive, which commenced on June 5, was organized by The Art of Living in collaboration with the KMC and the State Mission for Clean Ganga, West Bengal. Inspired by spiritual leader Sri Ravi Shankar, the campaign aimed to combine environmental action with cultural heritage.
Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey flagged off the drive. "Through sustained collective efforts, we can revive the Adi Ganga," she said.
Volunteer Mobilization and Cleanup Efforts
The initiative mobilized over 230 volunteers, involving youth leaders, local residents, and students from Sri Sri Academy. Over the weekend, participants physically extracted over 200 kilograms of garbage from the riverbanks. Parallelly, the eco-drive expanded into the Sundarbans, where volunteers partnered with the West Bengal Forest Department to plant 300 mangrove saplings at Gosaba under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative—part of a larger goal to plant one lakh trees in the region this year.
Cultural Celebration and Spiritual Significance
The campaign culminated on Sunday, June 7, shifting from rigorous physical cleanup to cultural celebration. The evening featured a soulful bhajan session and a majestic Adi Ganga Puja and Ganga Aarti at Sadar Ghat near the iconic Kalighat Temple, attended by minister Agnimitra Paul.
"Adi Ganga is Maa's sacred stream," said Sashi Nowlakha, trustee of the Art of Living. "For generations, she has carried our prayers and our heritage. Today, it is our turn to care for her."
