Historical Saraswati river allegedly being filled up to build a massive complex

Saraswati, a mythological river that has been flowing since four centuries and formed part of the Ganges flow beyond Kolkata, has been “filled up” in several parts of Howrah particularly at Ankurhati by a private developer that “…dumped huge quantity of flyash/soil …blocking the river”; alleged environment activist Subhas Datta.

The river is presently 76 km long and trundles through Howrah and Hoogly districts in south Bengal,

On Thursday to enquire the allegation, the eastern bench of National Green Tribunal , comprising of Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and expert member Saibal Dasgupta, directed the formation of a high-power committee including senior scientists from both central and state pollution control board, senior official from state irrigation department and a retired official from state environment department.

State pollution control board has been asked to act as nodal agency and petitioner Datta will also accompany the committee during the field visit; which is asked to submit the report within four weeks.

“The Committee shall visit the site in question and give a detailed report as per the allegations made in the original application with regard to dumping of soil/fly ash, illegal constructions, dumping of solid wastes and untreated drainage and sewage water into the River and other related issues. The Committee is also directed to take water samples of the River stretches at different points …” reads the order, a copy of which is with this reporter.

Datta, in his submission, alleged that the river has been dumped with flyash and soil to stop its flow; illegal bridges being constructed over the river; untreated waste water and garbage is fouling the river course; and the river is also encroached at several points including in the name of road widening.

“At a place named Ankurhati in Howrah, one private developer is constructing a massive complex and has dumped huge quantity of flyash/ soil on the river itself blocking the river course” alleged Datta in his submission, adding that complaint letters have long been sent to various authorities with little response so far.

The Plurals team has recently made an on-spot enquiry and found several encroachments have taken places within the river at Howrah including at Ankurhati, where a mega commercial development is taking place. Locals blamed that the river has been filled up by the project proponent to facilitate the construction.

“Once committee submits its report, we will act as per the direction of the tribunal” said Sibojyoti Chakrabarty, the state lawyer in the case.

Samar Koley, the Saraswati crusader for over two decades, also alleged that the river has been squeezed and turned into a nulla at several points with large scale encroachment and garbage dumping.

“Even after about 40 km out of its total 76 km has been cleaned up sometime back; the stretch has been again encroached upon and polluted at several points including Ankurhati” pointed out the activist.