Choonsali ghat turns eyesore with abandoned idols, waste

Guwahati: The scenic Choonsali ghat, a popular tourist spot for city residents, has turned into an eyesore due to rampant disposal of items used in religious occasions and abandoned idols over the month.
The residents of the area demanded immediate attention from authorities to restore the ghat’s beauty and urged them to take up beautification projects to transform the ghat into a tourist destination.
Since this year’s Vishwakarma Puja celebrations in Sept, the once pristine Brahmaputra riverbank now resembles a dumping ground, with plastic waste, food wrappers and idols scattered all over the place, hampering its natural charm.
Expressing anguish, Choonsali Seuj Nagar Unnayan Samiti secretary Prabhat Nath said the district administration had designated ghats for immersion, however, many dumped the idols and other puja items at the Choonsali ghat, ignoring the directions issued by the authorities.
“The locals of the area have been stopping the puja organisers from abandoning idols at the ghat but they still do it. We have been facing this challenge since Vishwakarma Puja,” Nath said.
He added that although the Guwahati Municipal Corporation took up proactive measures to clean other ghats after the puja festivities. However, places like Choonsali ghat, situated in the innermost areas of the city, remain unnoticed. “The ghat’s condition is a reflection of citizen’s apathy towards cleanliness and heritage,” Nath said.
The Seuj Nagar Unnayan Samiti has been planning to develop a children’s park near the ghat to stop people from dumping garbage and elevate visitors’ experience. Members of the samiti said, due to financial limitations we could not set up the park. However, they will approach the authorities concerned for it.
Navami Hazarika, a visitor at the ghat, said, “It’s very disheartening to see the ghat in this condition. People come here in search of a natural retreat but the condition of the ghat disappoints them. Apart from an environmental issue, it is a matter of religious sentiment. The abandoned idols are an insult to the faith.”
As the city strives to become a smart city, the revival of Choonsali ghat’s beauty and sanctity remains a pressing concern.