Once a mighty waterway Adi Ganga flowed through Kolkata. It was the main channel of the Hooghly River for centuries. Ships sailed its waters connecting Calcutta to the Sundarbans. Trade flourished along its banks. Adi Ganga was more than just a river. It held sacred significance in Hinduism. The Kalighat Kali Temple a major pilgrimage site stands on its banks. This highlights the river’s historical reverence.
But Adi Ganga’s story is not all glory. In the 18th century Major William Tolly excavated Tolly’s Canal. This new route was more efficient for navigation. Adi Ganga’s importance as a main shipping route declined. The canal’s creation though beneficial also led to the river’s degradation. Ghats and other cultural landmarks were lost.
Pollution became a severe problem. Untreated waste industrial and domestic was dumped into Adi Ganga. By the 1960s it had become a drain. The river’s health continued to worsen. In the early 2000s the construction of the metro railway added to its problems. Three hundred pillars were anchored in the riverbed. This further degraded the already polluted waterway.
Adi Ganga today is a shadow of its former self. It is heavily polluted a source of environmental and public health concerns. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation employs workers to manually clean the river. This is a small effort against the overwhelming pollution. Local residents often treat the river as a dumping ground. Despite this many devotees still take ritual dips in the polluted waters. They believe Adi Ganga can purify their souls.
The stories of Adi Ganga are interwoven with the lives of people. Thousands especially those from underprivileged backgrounds have found refuge on its banks. They have witnessed the river’s decline. The river’s history and heritage are entwined with their own. Even amidst the pollution life continues. Elderly people sit on the ghats sharing tea watching children play. Further from the city’s impact Adi Ganga shows signs of life. It flows cleaner towards the Bay of Bengal. Rejuvenation efforts are underway. Cooperation between the community and the government offers hope for the future of Adi Ganga.