Narmada Ghats Gasp For Breath Amid Pollution, Apathy: Report

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A recent survey on Narmada’s ghats has painted a grim picture of environmental degradation, lack of basic amenities and serious safety concern. The report states that chemical farming near 66% of the ghats is polluting the river, while 76% suffer from poor waste management, turning these once-sacred sites into environmental hazards.

Pilgrims, too, face major inconveniences, as only 11% of ghats provide changing rooms, creating discomfort, especially for women. Conducted by the Atal Bihari Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, the "Maa Narmada Ghat Sarvekshan Report 2024" assessed 861 ghats along the river and found a startling lack of basic infrastructure.

Only 19.9% of the ghats have toilets, while 807 ghats have no security barrier, putting visitors at risk. Lighting conditions are equally dire, with 770 ghats struggling with inadequate illumination, increasing the chances of accidents after dark.

Out of 861 ghats, there are 223 such ghats whichhave an adjoining drain (nullah) that falls in sacred Narmada. The neglect extends beyond infrastructure to the religious and cultural heritage of the ghats. Only 22% of the ghats witness the revered Narmada Aarti, while 33% of major ghats lack proper signboards and directional indicators, leaving pilgrims and tourists confused.

Out of the 861 ghats, there are only 163 display signs for the "Parikrama Path," making the pilgrimage route tough for many. To combat this crisis, the report suggests an urgent government intervention to restore and modernise the ghats. It recommends developing model ghats inspired by Varanasi’s Namo Ghat and Uttarakhand’s Chandi Ghat while also promoting organic farming by offering farmers financial aid for three years.

A strict ban on plastic and hazardous materials is also proposed, besides plan to increase greenery and sustainable landscaping. Floating hospitals could be expanded to all major ghats, providing much-needed healthcare access to pilgrims. Moreover, efforts should be made to improve security, signage and lighting across these spiritual sites.