Adi Ganga

Adi Ganga ( _bn. আদি গঙ্গা), also known as Gobindapur creek, Surman’s Nullah and Tolly’s Nullah, was the main flow of the Hooghly River from the 15th to 17th century but has subsequently virtually dried up. [Roy, Niharranjan, "Bangalir Itihas, Adi Parba", Bn icon, first published 1972, reprint 2005, p. 126, Dey’s Publishing, 13 Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata, ISBN 81-7079-270-3]

History

The earlier course of the lower Ganges as it flowed through the Bhaigirathi channel was somewhat different from what it is in the beginning of the 21st century. At Triveni, near Bandel, it branched into three streams. The Saraswati flowed in a south-westerly direction, past Saptagram. The Jamuna (not the same river as in north India or many streams of that name in eastern Bengal) flowed in a south-easterly direction. The Hooghly flowed in the middle. The Hooghly glided down to around the place where Kolkata now stands and then flowed through the Adi Ganga, past Kalighat, Baruipur and Magra to the sea.Majumdar, Dr. R.C., "History of Ancient Bengal", First published 1971, Reprint 2005, pp. 2-3, Tulshi Prakashani, Kolkata, ISBN 81-89118-01-3.]

In the 16th century, the main waters of the Bhagirathi, which earlier used to flow through the Saraswati, began to flow through the Hooghly. The upper Saraswati is a dead or dry river and the Hooghly has abandoned the Adi Ganga channel and adopted the lower course of the Saraswati to flow to the sea.

In his "Manasamangal", Bipradas Pipilai has described the journey path of Chand Saudagor, the merchant, as going past Chitpur, Betore, Kalighat, Churaghat, Baruipur, Chhatrabhog, Badrikunda, Hathiagarh, Choumukhi, Satamukhi and Sagarsangam. The description of Bipradas Piplai tallies to a large extent with of 1660. [Roy, Niharranjan, p. 76]

Some quarters ascribe the virtual drying up of Adi Ganga to its being artificially linked to the lower channel of the Saraswati, whereby that became the main channel for ocean going ships and the Adi Ganga became derelict. This feat is ascribed by some to Nawab Alivardi Khan.Bandopadhyay, Dilip Kumar, "Bharater Nadi" (Rivers of India), 2002, Bn icon, p. 69, Bharati Book Stall, 6B Ramanath Mazumdar Street, Kolkata.] Others thinks that there was only a tidal creek connecting the Saraswati and the Hooghly, near the point where the Adi Ganga branched off. It is rumoured that the Dutch traders re-sectioned this tidal creek to let sea-going vessels come up the Bhagirathi.cite web | url = http://www.kolkataporttrust.gov.in/anniversary_134.html | title = "The Story of River Port" | accessdate = 2007-12-10 | last = Chakraborty | first = Satyesh C. | work = | publisher = Kolkata Port Trust]

18th century

It was known earlier as Gobindapur Creek and marked the southern boundary of Gobindapur village. It was excavated by Edward Surman and it bore his name for some time. Surman was leader of the eventful embassy to Delhi in 1717. The nullah was deepened by Colonel William Tolly in 1773 and connected to the Circular Canal. Thereafter, it bore his name. [Cotton, H.E.A., "Calcutta Old and New", 1909/1980, pp.35, 226, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.] In 1775, Col. Tolly connected the Adi Ganga to the Vidyadhari.

19th-20th century

Ever since Tolly’s renovation the Adi Ganga remained a navigable river. However, the neglect of waterways in general and other factors such as population pressure and unplanned urbanisation caused further silting of Adi Ganga. It ultimately turned into a sewer channel for the south-western part of Kolkata. The waterway is already gasping for life with the human usurpation of its flowing course. At some places the course has totally dried up.cite web | url = http://www.geocities.com/geesen/vasun.htm | title = "Save our heritage river: Adi Ganga" | accessdate = 2007-12-10 | last = Ray | first = Mohit | work = Save Adi Ganga | publisher = geocities.com]

Extension of Kolkata Metro

The Kolkata Metro stretch from Dum Dum to Tollygunj is a totally underground track, except the two terminal stations. A decision was taken to extend the southern end of the Metro by 8.5 km to Garia. The major difference for this extension is a totally over ground stretch running on an elevated track, quite contrary to the existing underground one. The Tollygunj-Garia section will run over the Adi Ganga. In 2007 the track work is nearing completion. The railway track is laid over a row of concrete pillars on the bed of Adi Ganga. Six out of the seven stations on this new stretch will be elevated stations. Social activists opine that Metro railway’s construction activity will finally sound the death knell of the Adi Ganga.

Community environmental efforts

Adi Ganga has recently become the focus of a number of community environmental initiatives. A number of suggestions have been made for the revival of Adi Ganga. [cite web | url = http://www.geocities.com/geesen/Adi_update.htm | title = "Citizen’s voice for Adi Ganga" | accessdate = 2007-12-10 | last = | first = | work = An appeal | publisher = geocities.com]

References

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