Jammu, the City of Temples, stands at a critical juncture as its iconic water bodies-the sacred River Tawi and the historic Ranbir Canal-grapple with neglect and pollution. These symbols of heritage and sustenance, once lifelines of the region, are now ailing under the weight of unchecked human activity, administrative apathy, and environmental degradation. Their plight is a stark reminder of the cost of inaction and the pressing need to embrace sustainable practices for their restoration.
The River Tawi has become a victim of rampant pollution, primarily from untreated sewage and solid waste dumped directly into its waters, turning it into a virtual cesspool. Festivals and religious practices, while culturally significant, have exacerbated the situation with offerings and waste indiscriminately discarded into the river. The absence of a functional sewage treatment plant, despite years of promises, underscores the Government’s failure to address this escalating crisis. The Ranbir Canal, an engineering marvel of the Dogra era, suffers from a similar fate of neglect. Pollution, encroachments, and illegal sand mining have compromised its flow and functionality. During the dry winter months, the canal’s bed reveals a grim picture of garbage, including polythene, industrial waste, and even human remains, exposing the disregard of both authorities and residents.
Over 15 years ago, in 2009, a comprehensive sewage network project was launched in Jammu City with the ambitious goal of collecting all sewage and channelling it to the STP at Bhagwati Nagar. Despite the passage of time and the expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees, the project remains incomplete. Even High Court interventions have failed to yield substantial results. Apart from digging up almost every corner of the city, little has been accomplished. Now, a renewed attempt is underway to address this long-standing issue, particularly in light of the Artificial Lake project on the Tawi River. High-level meetings have been convened in recent months to monitor progress, but the sewage problem persists, with nullahs and drains continuing to discharge waste into the river unchecked. This lackadaisical approach, characterised by piecemeal efforts and minimal accountability, has exacerbated the situation rather than resolved.
Tawi’s condition is particularly dire during the winter and peak summer months when its natural flow diminishes, reducing the river to little more than a polluted drain. This situation is made even more alarming by the fact that water from the Tawi is lifted and supplied to Jammu city for consumption. Similarly, the Ranbir Canal faces significant pollution challenges. Although a mesh has been installed at the canal’s head to collect solid waste, untreated sewage continues to flow into its waters, compromising its utility and ecosystem.
The NGT has been strict in its stance on polluting water bodies, imposing heavy penalties on defaulting municipal committees across the country. However, the current scenario in Jammu suggests that stronger interventions are needed. Active civil society groups and NGOs must step forward, gather evidence of the pollution, and approach the NGT to secure directives for the local Government. This multi-stakeholder effort could potentially expedite action and create accountability for restoring the sanctity of these vital water bodies.
One critical question remains: If household waste is being collected throughout Jammu city, how does solid waste still end up in the Tawi and Ranbir Canal? This fundamental gap highlights inefficiencies in waste management and a lack of coordination among the JMC and urban authorities. It is important to develop a robust master plan to address this issue comprehensively.
Restoring the River Tawi and Ranbir Canal demands earnest and sustained efforts from all stakeholders. Government departments must work judiciously and with urgency, while civil society, NGOs, and the public must actively participate in ensuring accountability and change. Time is running out, and every moment of delay further endangers these invaluable water bodies. Only through collective action can the sanctity of the sacred Tawi and the historic Ranbir Canal be preserved for future generations.
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