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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Environment & Climate

Indian student's solo river cleanup goes viral, prompting municipal support

From Khaleej Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Surendra Singh Chaudhary began cleaning the polluted Ajnar River in Biaora alone and gained widespread attention after posting before-and-after images online.
  • The Biaora Municipal Corporation later deployed JCB and Poclain machines to remove accumulated waste and polythene.
  • A municipal official said five large drains discharge into the river and that authorities have proposed a sewage treatment plant costing about 14.77 crore rupees.

Surendra Singh Chaudhary started cleaning Biaora's polluted Ajnar River with little more than a shovel, determination and no budget for machinery. His solo effort later went viral and brought the local municipality into the cleanup.

It's the river that flows right through the middle of our town, Biaora; that is the river I am currently cleaning up.

· Surendra Singh ChaudharyHe described the river at the center of his solo cleanup effort.

The 21-year-old B.Sc. student, known online as “Bittu Tabahi,” said he first noticed the river's condition during regular visits to a nearby temple. People recoiled from the smell and garbage, prompting him to begin the work on Jan. 26, India's Republic Day.

Chaudhary continued despite limb infections and encounters with snakes. He initially considered building a machine to remove the debris but could not afford it. “Then, when January 26 arrived, I thought it was a good day to do something meaningful... Since then, I haven't stopped and have kept at it continuously,” he told ANI.

Then, when January 26 arrived, I thought it was a good day to do something meaningful... Since then, I haven't stopped and have kept at it continuously.

· Surendra Singh ChaudharyHe explained why he began the cleanup and continued it.

His before-and-after images on social media drew widespread attention, while also prompting doubts about whether they were genuine. Municipal Sub-Engineer Rupesh Kumar Netam told ANI that the photographs were authentic. “He started very well; we, along with the local citizens, contributed to cleaning the river,” Netam said.

I started alone; they (municipal corporation) saw what I was doing and then offered their support.

· Surendra Singh ChaudharyHe described how the municipality joined his effort.

The municipality deployed JCB and Poclain machines to clear old waste and polythene. Netam said monsoon water later washed away the remaining waste. He also identified a larger problem: five major drains discharge into the river. Authorities have prepared a proposal for a sewage treatment plant estimated to cost about 14.77 crore rupees.

The main issue is that five large drains discharge into the Biaora River; to stop this wastewater, we have prepared a proposal to construct an STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) costing approximately Rs 14.77 crore.

· Rupesh Kumar NetamThe municipal sub-engineer described the river's pollution source and the proposed treatment project.
About this summary

Originally published by Khaleej Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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