AMC Clears 54 Tons of Water Hyacinth Ahead of Jagannath Jal Yatra

In a massive cleanup operation ahead of the upcoming Lord Jagannath Jal Yatra, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has removed over 54 tons of water hyacinth from the Sabarmati Riverfront. The floating aquatic weed had resurfaced in the river after the irrigation department released fresh water into the Sabarmati on June 6.

The AMC launched the operation using four specialized machines to extract the invasive plant from the river. According to officials, the task is expected to be completed by Tuesday evening (June 11), just in time for the religious event, which sees hundreds of devotees participating in the annual water procession.

Water hyacinth is known to rapidly spread and choke water bodies, affecting both water flow and quality. It also disrupts aquatic ecosystems by reducing oxygen levels and impeding sunlight penetration. Officials noted that its resurgence was triggered by the influx of new water, which carried the weed into the Sabarmati from upstream areas.

“The hyacinth had almost disappeared during our earlier cleaning drive, but with the new water released into the river, it reappeared and began accumulating in large patches. Immediate action was taken to restore the river’s condition,” said an AMC official.

This recent cleanup follows a three-week-long river cleaning campaign conducted jointly by AMC and the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRDCL), which ran from May 15 to June 5. During that extensive effort, more than 950 metric tons of waste—including plastic, debris, and organic material—was removed from the Sabarmati. It was one of the largest such efforts in recent years and saw significant community participation.

However, just a day after the completion of that campaign, the irrigation department released new water into the Sabarmati. With the flow came fresh growth of water hyacinth, reversing some of the visible improvements from the previous drive. The plant floated in from connected water systems, and due to favorable weather conditions, it spread rapidly across several parts of the riverfront.

AMC officials emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between state departments to prevent such recurring issues. “While the release of fresh water is important for maintaining river levels and ecological balance, steps must be taken to prevent recontamination or reinfestation, especially ahead of public events,” an official added.

With the Lord Jagannath Jal Yatra set to take place on June 11, AMC aims to ensure the riverfront is clean, safe, and free from floating weeds or waste. Temporary checks and additional surveillance may also be put in place to monitor water quality in the coming days.

AM.