Bhubaneswar: Undeterred by relentless rain, Bhubaneswar denizens came together for a ‘Save Gangua Walk’ in Bhubaneswar’s Samantarapur on World Water Day, highlighting the urgent need to restore the historic Gangua River.
Once known as Gandhavati, this ancient river has played a crucial role in shaping Bhubaneswar’s history, but has now been reduced to a polluted drain due to unchecked urbanization and waste disposal.
The walk, organized by Odisha Manaska, an initiative of All Things Odisha, commenced from Gangua Bridge, traced the river’s right embankment, and concluded on Baruneswar Temple premises.
Along the way, participants engaged with experts, exchanged thoughts, and reflected on the river’s past, present, and future.
The event also highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the river, with stops at key heritage sites such as the Brahmeswar, Gokarneswar, and Baruneswar temples.
Gangua is not just a river but an ancient waterway that has been integral to Bhubaneswar’s historical evolution. Some historians believe it follows the course of an older branch of the Daya River and once served as a lifeline for early settlements, including the Kalingan civilisation.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the riverbanks were home to settlements as early as the 4th century BCE, with Gangua providing water for irrigation, drinking, and religious rituals. The river has been mentioned in ancient texts and temple inscriptions, emphasising its role in shaping Bhubaneswar’s temple ecosystem. Many of the city’s historic temples, including Mukteswar, Lingaraj, and Rajarani, were once directly linked to Gangua’s water system.
Local residents shared memories of a time when its water was clean and used for daily consumption, contrasting sharply with its present state.
Water quality of the Gangua has degraded over a period of time as all the sewerage water of the city flows into it along with those of 11 natural drainage channels.
The event concluded with a resolution to take concrete steps for Gangua’s revival, bringing together youth, local communities, and civil society organisations such as Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, Aanchalika Bikash Committee, Save Gangua, The Drops and KAPOK.
Key participants included Sudarshan Das, Sangram Paikaray, Prasanna Bishoyi, Sachikanta Pradhan, Pradeep Tarai, actor Partha Sarathi Ray Sonali Priyadarsini, Ritu Pattanaik, Bhawani, and Rupa.
In January, the Odisha government formed a high-level coordination committee to oversee and implement the rejuvenation plan for Gangua nullah, aiming to improve its water quality and transform it into a developed urban wetland.