A shocking video shared by a foreign YouTuber has thrust the severe pollution of Guwahati's Bharalu river back into the spotlight, igniting public anger and debate over the city's worsening waste management crisis.
Viral Video Captures a River of Garbage
The controversy erupted after a YouTuber known online as ‘WhiteLotusChris’ posted a video last week. The clip, filmed while he was searching for eateries along the bustling Zoo Road, captured the horrifying sight of the Bharalu river channel choked with filth and debris. The video spread rapidly across social media and short-video platforms, drawing strong reactions from local residents and environmental activists.
In the video, the YouTuber remarks, "This restaurant is located directly above one of the most horrific sights on planet earth, the Guwahati river... It is a homebuilt river, and the city of Guwahati and its citizens are very devoted, they make regular donations... they throw the traditional offering of as much filth and garbage as they possibly can." His sarcastic commentary underscored the grim reality of the water body, which is a significant tributary flowing through the city before joining the Brahmaputra.
A City-Wide Problem Beyond Bharalu
The issue is not confined to the Bharalu channel near Zoo Road, a cosmopolitan area packed with restaurants and shops. Similar distressing conditions plague other water bodies across Guwahati. In the Bhaskarnagar area, the Morabharalu channel has remained stagnant for a long time, worrying locals.
The situation is equally dire at Borsola Beel, along the Chatribari-Bilpar stretch. Residents here complain of a persistent stench and murky waters, pointing to chronic neglect in maintenance. This is despite the presence of a sewage treatment plant run by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
However, the plant's capacity is critically inadequate. Borsola Beel receives nearly eight million litres of untreated sewage every single day, creating a massive treatment shortfall that overwhelms the system.
Residents Voice Frustration and Call for Action
Long-time residents express deep concern over the deteriorating state of the city's river channels. Rishiraj Haldar, from Ambikagiri Nagar, stated that over the years, these waterways have transformed into open drains. "This situation is further exacerbated by the dumping of plastic waste and household garbage, which clogs the channel... especially during the monsoon, leading to waterlogging in several parts of the city," he explained.
While many blame municipal authorities, some citizens emphasize the need for collective responsibility. Sayyid Hussain, a resident of Bamunimaidam, argued that merely blaming the government is futile. "It is the residents first who need to inculcate civic sense and dump their garbage responsibly. We should also participate in group activities to clean the river," he urged.
Attempts to get an official response from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) regarding the crisis and planned measures were unsuccessful, as no officials responded to inquiries.
The viral video serves as a stark reminder that Guwahati's battle against urban pollution and ineffective waste management is far from over, demanding immediate and sustained action from both civic bodies and the community.
