AMC failure to remove water hyacinth affects smooth ‘Jal Yatra’ of Lord Jagannath

On Wednesday morning, ahead of the 148th Jagannath Rathyatra, the water hyacinth in the Sabarmati river became a major hindrance during the Jal Yatra.

Amdavad Municipal Corporation's failure to clear all the water hyacinth led to the vegetation getting stuck between the river cruise and the stairs placed on the riverbank, forcing fire department personnel to assist dignitaries stepping down from the cruise. However, due to the water hyacinth, the cruise vessel was unable to reach the shores. 

Traditionally, 108 urns of water are collected from the Sabarmati River for the ceremonial worship of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balram, and his sister Subhadra, ahead of rathyatra. 

The AMC had claimed on Tuesday that 54 tonnes of water hyacinth was removed and that all water hyacinth would be cleared before the Jal Yatra, a promise that was apparently not delivered on the day.

Special river cruise was arranged to transport dignitaries for the ceremony. However, due to the water hyacinth, the cruise vessel was unable to reach to the shores.  About 15 personnel from the fire department, including the Divisional Fire Officer and Station Officer, were deployed for duty on the cruise. 

The age-old tradition is set for yet another celebration this year as Ahmedabad hosts the 148th rathyatra of Lord Jagannath which will be held on June 27 (Ashadh Sud Beej- the second day of the bright half of the Ashadha month).

Ahead of the main yatra, the inaugural ritual of the rathyatra, known as the ‘Jal Yatra’, was held on Wednesday morning. This year, water for the ritual was collected from the Sabarmati river, making the water collection ceremony historically significant.