Odisha’s capital turned its river into a drain. Now the consequences go beyond the city

What happened to Gangua, once considered Bhubaneswar’s lifeline?

According to the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), the Gangua river has now turned into a drain that carries the city’s garbage and sewage. Rapid urbanisation has only worsened the situation.

Originating in the Chandaka forest region, Gangua used to be a crucial urban water source. It flows southeast through Bhubaneswar for nearly 45 kilometres before merging with the Daya river, which eventually connects to Chilika Lake – an ecosystem renowned for its rich biodiversity and a lifeline for thousands of people. But unchecked urban growth and poor waste management have pushed the river into a deep crisis. 

A 2024 research report by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board notes that sewage from open drains and industrial waste from an area of about 103.43 square kilometres are being discharged into the river due to mounting urban pressure. When our team visited the river near Patia, during an interview with social activist Bipin Mohanty, we witnessed people openly dumping garbage and sewage into the river. The stench was so overpowering that it was difficult to stand there for long.

As per the OSPCB’s Water Quality Bulletin, while the standard Biological Oxygen Demand level should be 3, Gangua’s BOD level in the Palasuni area has been recorded at 8. The Water Quality Index categorises the river’s condition at this location as “unsatisfactory”.

Several high-level meetings have been held on the revival of Gangua, but there has been little visible change on the ground so far.

Environmental activist Nihar Ranjan Acharya, a resident of Nuagaon and founder of the Trust organisation, warned of the wider impact of this pollution. “Because this water system is connected to the sea, pollution keeps spreading further downstream. Every water body it connects with gets contaminated in some form. All life forms that depend on this water are being affected,” he said.

Watch.

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