UDHAMPUR, September 30, 2026 – The ongoing agitation over alleged massive corruption and substandard execution in the prestigious Devika River Rejuvenation Project has intensified, with a hunger strike led by local activists and prominent citizens continuing to gain momentum in Udhampur. Spearheaded by Advocate Sushil Sethi, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike that recently crossed its eighth day, the protesting residents are vehemently demanding a high-level Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to unearth the alleged irregularities and financial mismanagement—widely termed by the locals as a “ghotala” (scam)—plaguing the development work. The protesters allege that despite the massive infusion of funds and years of execution, the on-ground reality of the project remains grim, with poor quality work, damaged infrastructure, and severe delays failing the very purpose of the environmental initiative.
The Devika River Rejuvenation Project, prominently hailed as North India’s first-ever river rejuvenation project, was launched in early 2019 under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and is modeled on the lines of the flagship ‘Namami Gange’ initiative. Sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 186.74 crore, the project operates on a 90:10 funding pattern between the Government of India and the Union Territory. The massive budget is strategically broken down into two primary components: sewage management infrastructure and riverfront beautification. The bulk of the project focuses on liquid waste management, which includes the construction of three new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with capacities of 8 MLD, 4 MLD, and 1.6 MLD, alongside three sewage pumping stations and the laying of an extensive 129.27 km-long underground sewerage network to prevent raw effluents from flowing into the river.
The second major financial allocation under the Rs 186.74 crore budget is dedicated to the aesthetic and cultural beautification of the riverbanks. This component entails the development of proper bathing ghats, the construction of two state-of-the-art cremation grounds, the removal of illegal encroachments, and the restoration of natural water bodies. Additionally, the beautification plan incorporates structural landscaping, security fencing, small hydropower projects, and three solar power plants to ensure the long-term sustainability of the area.
The project holds immense cultural and religious importance for the region due to the sacred history of the Devika River. Originating from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur district, the river flows down towards western Punjab before eventually merging with the Ravi River. Revered deeply by Hindus as the sister of the sacred River Ganga, it is often referred to as “Gupt Ganga” because its waters physically appear and disappear at various points along its course. Given its profound spiritual significance, the alleged mishandling of the rejuvenation project and the subsequent damage to local roads and public utilities during construction have triggered deep emotional resentment among the local population. As the hunger strike continues to draw widespread support from civil society and local organizations, the administration is facing mounting pressure to ensure transparency, address the protestors’ demands for a CBI inquiry, and expedite the genuine restoration of the holy river.
Published by True Roots Media Network