Can Guwahati Save the Bharalu Before It Is Too Late?

The Bharalu, once a lively natural stream weaving through the heart of Guwahati, has today turned into something almost unrecognisable. Anyone who passes by the stretch near Ulubari or Paltan Bazar can feel the stench long before they see the water. What was once a fresh, free-flowing channel of the mighty Brahmaputra is now a dark, sluggish drain struggling to breathe.

For the people of Guwahati, the question now feels more urgent than rhetorical — can the city still save the Bharalu, or have we crossed the point of no return?

A River That Once Connected a City

Older residents of Guwahati often recall the Bharalu as a small but active stream that once supported local life. In many neighbourhoods, children played along its banks, fishermen cast their nets, and the water was clear enough to reflect the afternoon sun.

The stream was originally a natural drainage channel of the Brahmaputra. It acted like a pressure valve during the monsoon, carrying excess water out of the city. For decades, Bharalu served as both a lifeline and a natural protector.

But as Guwahati expanded faster than its infrastructure, the river became the silent victim of urban pressure. What began as mild encroachment slowly turned into full-fledged land grabs. Drains, sewer outlets, and construction debris steadily choked the waterway.

How the Bharalu Reached This Crisis Point

Environmental researchers have noted several factors behind the Bharalu’s rapid decline. None of these happened overnight; they multiplied over years of neglect.

1. Unchecked Urbanization

The city’s population has increased sharply over the past two decades. With new residential complexes, commercial hubs, and road expansions, the Bharalu became the easiest dumping ground.

Many buildings near GS Road and Zoo Road have reportedly channelled their wastewater directly into the river. Even though the laws prohibit this practice, enforcement has remained weak.

2. Encroachment on Both Sides

Local civic groups have long pointed out how the river’s width has drastically narrowed in several stretches. Small shops, private houses, and temporary structures now sit on land that once belonged to the river.

A resident from Pub-Sarania told a local reporter recently, “Earlier, during heavy rain, the water used to rise but also flow out quickly. Now, it feels like the water has nowhere to go.”

This shrinking space has become one of the major triggers of Guwahati’s sudden flash floods.

3. Solid Waste Dumping

One look at the Bharalu today, and the problem becomes painfully clear. Plastic bags, cardboard waste, construction debris, and food waste float on the surface. The river has become a dumping route for both households and commercial establishments.

Workers of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) often say that even after cleaning the river, it takes barely a day for the garbage to pile up again.

4. Sewage Flowing Directly Into the Stream

Most households in Guwahati do not have a proper sewage treatment connection. In several localities, toilets, bathrooms, and kitchen outlets discharge into small drains which eventually open into the Bharalu.

Environmentalists argue that unless the sewage issue is solved, no amount of cleaning will restore the river’s former self.

Why Saving the Bharalu Matters

It may be easy for some to dismiss the Bharalu as “just a drain,” but its health is closely linked with Guwahati’s future.

1. The City’s Flood Safety Depends On It

Every monsoon, Guwahati struggles with flash floods — especially areas around Anil Nagar, Tarun Nagar, and Nabin Nagar. When the Bharalu is clogged, rainwater has no escape route.

The result: knee-deep water within minutes of rainfall.

If the river completely loses its carrying capacity, these floods will get worse.

2. Public Health Risks Are Growing

Stagnant, polluted water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. Doctors in the city often mention how cases of dengue spike every time rainfall worsens the condition of the Bharalu.

3. Ecological Balance Is at Stake

The river once supported birds, small fish, and other aquatic life. Today, only a few signs of life remain. If the last remnants disappear, the city loses a part of its ecological identity.

4. A Cultural and Historical Loss

For many, the Bharalu is not just a water body but a link to Guwahati’s past — a reminder of how the city grew along the Brahmaputra’s natural networks. Losing it means erasing a part of the city’s memory.

What Experts Believe Can Still Be Done

Several environmental experts and urban planners have suggested realistic steps that Guwahati can take. These are not overnight solutions, but they can revive the river in phases.

1. Full-Scale Desiltation and Cleaning

A proper desiltation drive — not the short-term cleaning that usually happens — can help restore the river’s depth and carrying capacity.

Removing years of accumulated mud, plastic, and debris is the first step toward revival.

2. Strict Action Against Illegal Encroachment

Urban planners argue that without clearing encroachments, the river cannot breathe. Government agencies must carry out surveys and free up blocked stretches.

This is politically sensitive, but experts say it is essential.

3. Upgrading Sewage Treatment Systems

A long-term solution requires building sewage pipelines and treatment plants that stop household waste from entering the Bharalu.

Several cities — including Pune and Indore — have managed to revive polluted streams by improving sewage systems. Guwahati can take lessons from them.

4. Community Responsibility

Residents have a major role. Local groups in areas like Lachit Nagar and Chandmari have already started small awareness drives.

If more communities join hands — by avoiding dumping and reporting illegal waste — the river can slowly recover.

Just as Guwahati grapples with environmental challenges like the Bharalu crisis, political debates about civic rights and governance — such as those around the Assam electoral roll revision — demonstrate the interconnected nature of development, representation, and environmental stewardship.

5. Developing Riverfront Zones

Some experts believe that developing clean riverfront walkways, similar to the ones along the Brahmaputra, may encourage people to value the Bharalu more. A beautified river is less likely to be misused.

Is There Still Hope?

The story of Bharalu is not unique. Cities across India — from Bengaluru’s Vrishabhavathi to Mumbai’s Mithi — have witnessed similar struggles. And in many places, revival efforts have shown results.

Environmentalists often say that rivers do not die naturally; they die when people stop fighting for them. Bharalu can still be saved, but only if the city acts with urgency.

A small group of young volunteers in Guwahati recently started weekend cleaning events near the river. One of them said, “We know we cannot fix it alone, but at least we are doing something instead of complaining.” Their effort may seem small, but it shows that the river has not been forgotten.

Conclusion

The Bharalu today stands as a mirror reflecting Guwahati’s rapid, sometimes careless, urban growth. Saving it will require courage, planning, and cooperation.

This is no longer just an environmental issue — it is a question of public health, civic responsibility, and the future of a city that is growing faster than it can handle.

If Guwahati chooses to act now, the Bharalu may still recover. If not, the city may have to live with the consequences for generations.

FAQs

1. Why is the Bharalu so polluted today?
Mainly due to sewage discharge, garbage dumping, encroachment, and lack of proper urban planning.

2. Can the Bharalu be revived?
Yes, with long-term cleaning, sewage treatment upgrades, strict enforcement, and community involvement.

3. How does the river affect flood control?
Bharalu is a natural drainage channel. If it gets clogged, flash floods worsen in surrounding areas.

4. What can residents do?
Avoid dumping waste, support awareness drives, and report illegal activities affecting the river.

5. Why should the city care about this river?
Because it affects public health, flood safety, ecological balance, and the city’s cultural identity.