Reviving India's Rivers

The Kham River Restoration in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar showcases a successful public-private model, proving that even seasonal rivers can be rejuvenated through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement

- ANIL SWARUP

Efforts for cleaning Ganga and many other rivers in the country have been going on for decades. A lot of money has gone down the drain but with little impact on the ground. In smaller cities, the rivers have become sewage drains destroying the ecosystem of the region and adversely impacting the lives of a large number of those that live around them. A lot of noise is being made about the devastation being caused but there doesn't seem to be much action on the ground. Hence, what has happened in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar deserves special attention. The visionary Municipal Commissioner, a young and dynamic IAS officer, Astik Pande made it happen here. He has demonstrated that if a problem can be identified and understood and if all the stakeholders can be brought on board, a complex and long-standing problem can be tackled.

For his effort, Astik was bestowed with the Nexus of Good Annual Award, in 2024 at a glittering function at PHD House in Delhi. The award was given by a decorated former Indian Police Service officer, Prakash Singh.

Kham River is a 65km long seasonal river & tributary of the Godavari River. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad City) is situated on the bank of this river. It divides the city into two parts. There are around 17 to 18 lakh people who live in the city with around an additional 25 lakh in the catchment area of the river around the city.

The Kham River Restoration Mission in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar represents an exemplary collaboration between the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation, District Collector Office, Aurangabad Cantonment Board, Varroc Industries and Startup EcoSattva Environmental Solutions, Many NGOs & Citizens got down to restore a seasonal river that had become a polluted drain.