Guwahati, 04 March (HS): West Guwahati MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita has proposed a comprehensive master plan to restore the polluted Bharalu and Mora Bharalu rivers. Presenting his recommendations during the budget session, he stressed the urgent need to curb waste accumulation in these vital water bodies.

Emphasizing the worsening condition of Guwahati’s key rivers—Bahini, Bharalu, and Mora Bharalu—Kalita pointed out how unchecked garbage dumping has effectively turned them into open drains. A Pollution Control Board survey has ranked Bharalu and Mora Bharalu among the most polluted rivers in India. While the Public Works Department (PWD) conducts periodic cleanups, these efforts remain superficial, failing to address deep-seated contamination that endangers public health.

In his speech in Assam Assembly on Tuesday, Kalita urged the government to shift river maintenance responsibilities from the PWD to the Water Resources Department for a more effective cleanup strategy. He also called for the installation of a dedicated water and sewage treatment system to ensure proper filtration and maintenance.

Additionally, he proposed installing streetlights and CCTV cameras along the riverbanks to deter illegal waste dumping. Strict fines and punitive measures against violators, he suggested, could further help in preserving these water bodies.

By advocating these measures, Kalita aims to implement a structured, long-term plan to revive Guwahati’s rivers and safeguard the city’s environment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash