Concerned Citizens Unite to Revive Bhubaneswar’s Historic Gangua River

Bhubaneswar: Undeterred by relentless rain, concerned citizens and local residents gathered for a youth-led Save Gangua Walk in 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 and traced the river’s right embankment, concluding at the 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 civilization. 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.

Over centuries, Gangua witnessed the rise and fall of empires. The river has been mentioned in ancient texts and temple inscriptions, emphasizing 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. However, rapid urbanization, encroachments, and industrial waste have turned it into a drainage channel, stripping it of its original identity.

Despite being one of the state’s most polluted water bodies, Gangua holds immense ecological and historical importance. Local residents shared memories of a time when its waters were clean and used for daily consumption, contrasting sharply with its present state. Youth participants lamented how such a old river has been relegated to a mere drain, underscoring the urgent need for restoration efforts.

The walk provided an immersive experience, with poetry recitals, art and music performances, and discussions on strategies to reclaim the river’s status. A key focus was restoring Gangua as a river of heritage, not a sewage drain, and advocating for government initiatives to accelerate rejuvenation efforts. Discussions also proposed a future symposium to examine Gangua’s historical, current, and future significance.

The event concluded with a resolution to take concrete steps for Gangua’s revival, bringing together youth, local communities, and civil society organizations 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.

This citizen-driven, youth-centric movement seeks to amplify local voices and drive a sustainable and meaningful revival of the Gangua River, ensuring that its rich history, cultural significance, and ecological vitality are preserved for future generations.