Jharkhand’s long-neglected urban rivers are set for a revival as the state government launches a comprehensive Urban River Management initiative under the Namami Gange programme.
The project will begin with five key cities — Ranchi, Dhanbad, Adityapur, Chas and Sahibganj–Rajmahal — focusing on rivers such as the Ganga, Damodar, Kharkai, Harmu and Swarnarekha.
At a state-level workshop held in Ranchi, officials said the plan goes beyond cleaning rivers. It envisions riverfront development, creation of parks and green belts, plantation drives, and the building of walkways and cycling tracks to ensure cleaner, healthier, and more attractive river ecosystems.
Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Sunil Kumar said that river management has now been placed at the heart of urban planning.
“We want every city’s master plan to reflect specific strategies for conserving its rivers. Growth and ecology should progress together,” he remarked.
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He also appealed to the Centre to extend Namami Gange benefits to Jharkhand’s smaller tributaries. “Since these streams eventually merge into the Ganga, rejuvenating them will directly support the health of the main river,” he pointed out.
Namami Gange’s state director Suraj Kumar emphasised the need for broad public participation and urged municipal bodies and departments to work jointly. He said each city faces different challenges, so tailor-made solutions are essential.
Key recommendations from the workshop included strict monitoring of industrial effluents, developing riverbank tourism responsibly, and encouraging citizens to protect water sources.
With active coordination between state agencies, municipal bodies, and the public, officials expressed hope that Jharkhand’s rivers will soon regain their natural vitality — transforming them into clean, green lifelines for cities.
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