Guwahati: In a historic and symbolic event, Guwahati on Sunday witnessed its first-ever boat race on the Bharalu River, organized under the “Save Bharalu” Campaign — a grassroots movement aimed at restoring the city’s most neglected waterway.Four boats took part in the unique race, which began at Jonali on Zoo Road and concluded at Rajgarh, marking a moment of both environmental activism and civic pride. The organizers said the event was designed to remind citizens that the Bharalu, now often dismissed as a polluted drain, is a river worth reclaiming and reviving.“Through this event, we want to remind people that Bharalu is not dead — it’s a river that can flow again if we take responsibility,” said one of the campaigners involved in the initiative.
Also Read: AGS organizes Bhagawat oration in memory of Zubeen Garg at Biswanath
Organizers acknowledged that many locals were skeptical about hosting a race on such a heavily polluted waterway. “People thought it wasn’t possible. But this event proves that awareness and public participation can make a difference. We started this mission in 2021 and will keep pushing until Bharalu breathes again,” a volunteer added.The event is part of a broader campaign calling for government attention and public involvement in restoring Guwahati’s three major rivers — Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, and Bahini — all of which have suffered from severe pollution due to encroachment and unregulated waste disposal.
Also Read: Full body statue of Zubeen Garg under-construction at Puranigudam
Earlier this year, Assam’s Minister for Public Health Engineering, Jayanta Mallabarua, addressed the issue during the Budget Session of the State Assembly, acknowledging that pollution levels in Guwahati’s rivers had become a serious environmental concern. He also raised questions about the efficiency of private entities undertaking cleaning contracts at costs far lower than government estimates, hinting at potential lapses in quality and transparency.To ensure accountability, the Minister announced the formation of river monitoring committees comprising government officials and local residents to supervise cleaning efforts. “We want the public to be part of the process. Their feedback will help us improve and sustain river restoration,” he had said earlier.Sunday’s boat race stands as a symbol of hope — a call for citizens, policymakers, and communities to come together to reclaim Guwahati’s lost lifeline, the Bharalu River.
