Will Naag nullah ever get the form of river?

 

 

 

 

Agreeing to what ‘The Hitavada’ in its ‘Footloose column’ dated September 10, 2020 commented on the ill-treatment to Naag river, the people from all strata in city expressed their anguish over the apathy of this historical river. They all have one common opinion on this issue-- City fathers have deceived common public as far as maintenance of the Naag river is concerned. Most of them pointed out we don’t need so much money to maintain this river. According to some, it is the responsibility of public also to keep pressing for the cleaning of Naag river, Pili Nadi and Pohra Nadi aggressively.

 

Dr Sunita Roy, former Principal of Dinanath High School, said, “This is a very apt perspective about the current conditions of our city’s prime water bodies. The way the civic authorities and political parties have been behaving in this matter is a key example of all talk and no action. These rivers which should be the pride and joy for the citizens have become a matter of embarrassment for the city.”

 

S Prabhuraman, Principal of Saraswati Vidyalalya, put it in an elaborative manner. He said, “The majestic educational institutions once located on the banks of the river even exist today but the river turned into drainage. I fully support ‘The Hitavada’ views and the pain expressed is from the bottom of the heart. Collective awareness, collective responsibility should be there.”

 

Tinu Agrawal, a well-known researcher, said, “I don’t talk on larger issue but if we have visitor whom we tell Nagpur name has the background of Naag river and if he or she asks us about the river can we show it in its present condition? We need to think about it deeply.” Rini Bhatta, a gardener and farmer, who was in real estate business 10 years ago, feels shame whenever she talks about Naag river. According to her people in power only made tall claims time to time but did nothing. “When we see in Hollywood movies where they show the rivers flowing in the inner parts of cities in European countries, we feel sad that despite having such river in our own city, we haven’t care for it,” Bhatta alleged Dr Shubhra Roy, Senior Teacher with Somalwar High School, Ramdaspeth blamed the city fathers for not even starting the work of cleaning the Naag river which has been planned from time to time. With the revival of Naag river the city too will grow, feels Dr Roy.

 

Dr Rajesh Mundhada, noted Interventional Radiologist pointed out, “I used to stay near Gandhisagar lake and we had a view of this water body from our terrace. The most painful occasion used to the day the Ganesh idols were immersed. It was people’s responsibility. Sometimes administration finds itself helpless when it comes to take decision. Same is the case with Naag river. Everybody is sinner.” “Although I am in total agreement with the article which depicts the sorry state of affairs of Naag river, the burden of this sin should also be shared by citizens who have not wasted any opportunity to litter plastic bottles, plastic food containers, plastic bags and household food waste in every corner of city, which ultimately has found its way in the river. The cumulative effect of this is such that no one in my generation knows or even treats this water body as river and it has been reduced to a contaminated nullah,” a valid point put by Dr Darshan Dakshindas, Associate Professor, Government Dental College and Hospital.

 

“A tow pronged long term approach is the only way to rebuild the lost glory of the river which has provided the etymology for the name Nagpur. While our leaders and administrators must ensure that this projects get amply funded under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and that the funds are utilized effectively for sludge cleaning process and treatment of contaminated water in collaboration with an experienced team available in our country, we the citizens should solemnly pledge to Reduce-Reuse-Recycle plastic and also Educate and Encourage everyone around us to make cleanliness of our streets, roads and rivers a mass movement,” pointed out Dr Dakshindas.

 

Dr Rajeshree Raut, Associate Professor and Dean (SA), Government College of Engineering , Nagpur expressed concern about the next generation. She said, “Lot of promises were made regarding setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). I feel, instead of beautification people want the Naag Nullah should be given its original form of river. It will resolve several issues.”