The Tragic Death of Biaora’s Ajnar River: From Sacred to Sewage

The Ajnar River, once the lifeline of Biaora—the largest city in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh district—has become a testament to environmental neglect and administrative failure. What began as a clean waterway flowing from Andal Heda village in the Malabar region changes into an open sewer, losing its identity completely as it passes through the urban landscape.

A River's Lost Glory

Omprakash Mevade, an elderly local resident who has witnessed the river's transformation, paints a heartbreaking picture of the past. "Our childhood was spent here. This river once carried abundant water, and people would quench their thirst from it," he recalls with visible pain. "But for the past 10 to 15 years, this river has become a mountain of filth. It no longer looks like a river—it resembles the drainage canal of Indore's Rajwada."

The deterioration is so severe that crossing the bridge on Hospital Road has become an ordeal. The putrid smell makes breathing difficult as heaps of garbage and untreated sewage from the city's drains flow directly into the river. No local treatment initiatives have been undertaken, leaving the waterway in its deplorable state.

The Fight for Revival

Despite the overwhelming challenges, a group of young activists refuses to surrender. The Ajnar Bachao Andolan Samiti (Save Ajnar Movement Committee), led by Ram Bheel, has been waging a five-year battle against the river's destruction.

"We've been running awareness and cleaning campaigns for almost five years," Ram Bheel explains during our conversation. "There's been some awareness among people—they no longer directly dump polythene or religious offerings into the river. However, the sewage water being discharged from across the city continues to pollute the river directly, and no concrete steps have been taken by administrative or political leaders."

Ram's dedication runs deep. In 2020, he undertook a walking expedition from the river's source to its endpoint to understand the complete ecosystem. His findings were alarming: "The river has no natural water source upstream, but all the city's drains are flowing directly into it. The cause of the river's pollution is the public itself, who have converted this river into a drain."

Ancient Heritage Under Threat

The cleaning campaigns have revealed the river's hidden historical significance. "When we started the cleaning drive with people from every section of the city, we discovered several ancient ghats and wells that need conservation," Ram reveals. However, his team's primary demand remains unmet: linking the district's two major dams—Mohanpura and Parvati—to ensure year-round water flow in the Ajnar.

"But before that, a sewage treatment plant must be built to prevent dirty water from mixing with the river," he emphasizes. "So far, this matter has only progressed in files at administrative and political levels—nothing has happened on the ground."

Voices from the Past

Jamanalal Marothiya, a retired headmaster and social worker, has been observing the river since 1980. "There used to be abundant water that supported extensive irrigation," he remembers. "But in recent years, its condition has deteriorated to that of a drain. Neither administrative officers nor political parties pay attention to it. Young teams have been engaged in cleaning campaigns for the past 5-7 years, but this work cannot be completed without administrative intervention."

The Flood Menace

The river's degradation has created new problems for local residents. Pratik Pushpad, a local shopkeeper, describes the terrifying floods that now plague the area. "We've continuously witnessed the destructive form of the Ajnar River in recent years. In August 2022, floodwater rose about 5 feet in our and nearby shops, causing significant losses to many people."

The cause, according to Pratik, lies in the accumulated garbage and poorly constructed stop dams. "There's so much trash in the river that it doesn't allow floodwater to flow forward, and this becomes the cause of flooding."

Administrative Acknowledgment

Municipal CMO Ikrar Ahmed acknowledges the severity of the situation. His attempts to find practical solutions have met with stark realities. When NHAI was constructing the Biaora to Gwalior bypass road, Ahmed tried to collaborate: "I told the company that if they could use the river's raw material for road construction, I could provide permission. The company excavated about 20 places in the river and sent stone samples to Delhi for lab testing, but the samples were rejected."

The reason was shocking: "There's so much filth in the river that even after digging about 15 feet, only dirty material emerges, which has solidified and isn't even suitable for use in house foundations."

Ahmed's survey revealed 21 locations where sewage water directly enters the river. His solution involves creating a comprehensive drainage system or canal to divert dirty water to sewage treatment plants, where treated water could then be recycled for farmers' irrigation, potentially increasing both their income and municipal revenue.

The Bureaucratic Charade

The CMO doesn't hide his frustration with symbolic gestures: "In the name of river purification, all public representatives participate through public involvement and even venture out with baskets and spades for river cleaning, but these aren't meaningful efforts. River purification is only possible when you systematically and methodically remove dirty water through sewage systems. Only then will this river flow with the gurgling sound like the Ganges."

Broken Promises

Three months ago, Ground Report highlighted the filth pervading Biaora city. Municipal president representative Pavan Kushwah had promised to cover drains and filter dirty water before releasing it into the river. Three months later, nothing has changed on the ground. The same filth continues to plague the city's drains and river, threatening the waterway's very existence.

A Race Against Time

The environmental and health implications extend far beyond aesthetics. The river's condition poses serious threats to aquatic life and human health. Local administration and public representatives must translate their paper promises into ground reality.

The young activists working to save the river dream of seeing it flow clean and pristine as it once did. Their hope remains alive, but as Ram Bheel emphasises, "This is not possible without the intervention of those responsible in power."

The Ajnar River's story reflects a broader environmental crisis across India's urban waterways. Without immediate, sustained action involving proper sewage treatment infrastructure, administrative will, and public cooperation, rivers like Ajnar will continue their tragic transformation from sacred waters to sewage channels.

The question remains: Will the authorities act before it's too late, or will future generations only know the Ajnar through stories of what it once was?

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