The ambitious Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, has failed to bring substantial change in the Boko market area, where the Boko River, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra, has turned into a dumping ground.
The river, originating in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills, is fed by several mountain streams before flowing through the Boko region. However, indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste, meat and fish residues, and other garbage has severely polluted the water, causing environmental degradation and health concerns.
A bridge on National Highway 17, which runs over the Boko River near the Boko Market area (Borpara revenue village), has become a hotspot for waste disposal, with people carelessly throwing garbage directly into the water.
Expressing his dismay, Bijay Rabha, an employee at the RHAC Inspection Bungalow, stated,
"Despite my repeated objections, shopkeepers and locals continue to dump waste into the river, further contaminating the water with fish and meat waste."
The contamination has impacted multiple villages including Borpara, Kaliabori, Nabapur, and Bakarapara, affecting the quality of life for residents and livestock. Anupam Rabha, a local from Kaliabori village, described the river water as oily, sticky, and foul-smelling, making it undrinkable even for cattle.
"In Hindu traditions, rivers play a vital role in performing rituals. However, due to extreme pollution, conducting any religious ceremonies in the Boko River has become impossible," he lamented, adding that pollutants have begun seeping into groundwater sources, affecting wells and boreholes.
Acknowledging the severity of the issue, Ranjit Doloi, President of the newly formed Boko Market Committee, stated that unlike the previous committee, which neglected the issue for 21 years, the new leadership is determined to take action.
"The matter will be discussed in our first executive meeting. If necessary, fines will be imposed on those who continue dumping waste into the river," Doloi asserted.
Durgeswar Rabha, General Secretary of the committee, highlighted that the Boko Market houses over 450 shops, including vegetable vendors, fruit stalls, hotels, and meat and fish sellers, contributing significantly to the waste problem.
Boko Circle Officer Dibash Bordoloi assured that he would discuss the issue with the Boko Block Development Officer to explore possible solutions for cleaning the river and preventing further contamination.
