Guwahati: Plastic waste, discarded flowers and broken bamboo frames have accumulated along the Brahmaputra’s banks in Guwahati following Durga idol immersion, raising concerns over river pollution as the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) awaits an assessment of the latest impact on water quality.
Hundreds of idols were immersed on Wednesday, Vijaya Dashami, with immersion activities continuing until Thursday to manage the large number of processions. Around 600 community pujas were organised in Guwahati this year.
Immersions took place at seven ghats — Pandu, Lachit ghat, Saukuchi, Basistha, Choonsali, Sonapur and Panikhaiti. Pandu ghat alone was expected to receive more than 250 idols, making it one of the busiest immersion sites.
Along the riverbanks, orange and yellow garlands, plastic bags, bottles, discarded containers and decorative materials were found mixed with leaves and plant stalks. Broken bamboo poles and strips were partly submerged, while litter had become trapped in water hyacinth near the shore.
The visible waste has raised concerns about waste management at immersion sites. However, the extent of the debris alone does not establish the level of chemical or microbial contamination in the river. Water-quality tests are needed to determine changes in dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and heavy-metal concentrations.
Previous monitoring data from the Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) showed a rise in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels at Pandu ghat following Durga idol immersion in 2023. The BOD level was recorded at 1.6 mg/l before the festival on October 10, rising to 1.9 mg/l during monitoring on October 24 and 2.3 mg/l on October 26.
Dissolved oxygen levels at Pandu fell from 8.4 mg/l before immersion to 7.3 mg/l immediately afterwards.
Environmental guidelines prohibit the use of plastic, thermocol and polythene in idols and decorations. PCBA guidelines also prohibit discarding plastic and clothes along with idols during immersion. Plastic accessories, synthetic decorations and chemical-based paints remain concerns because they can add to the river’s pollution load and affect aquatic life.
To manage the large number of processions, the administration spread immersion activities over two days. The district administration, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and health department made arrangements at the ghats, while the Pandu Ghat Immersion Committee supervised activities there.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were deployed at Lachit ghat, Pandu ghat, Sankat Mochan Ghat and Palasbari. Four teams comprising around 30 personnel remained on duty round the clock during the immersion period, with hydra cranes kept ready to handle large idols.
The PCBA monitors water quality at immersion sites in three phases — before, during and after immersion. Its monitoring network includes Pandu and Kacharighat in Guwahati.
The growing number of community celebrations has added to the pressure on water bodies. Assam recorded 9,002 community Durga Puja pandals this year, up from 8,521 in 2025 and 8,381 in 2024. In 2025, 182 puja committees immersed idols at Lachit Ghat and 50 at Pandu Ghat.
Environmentalists have advocated the use of clay idols and natural colours, along with the segregation and proper disposal of plastic waste, to reduce the environmental impact of immersion.