𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥'𝐬 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐤𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

Mounting garbage on streets and unchecked waste flowing into waterways have emerged as a serious concern in Naharlagun, the twin capital of Arunachal Pradesh, with the Dikrong River now ranking among the most polluted water bodies in the state. Urban waste, rampant plastic dumping and inadequate solid waste management have visibly degraded several neighbourhoods and river stretches, triggering fears that rapid urban growth has come at the cost of environmental responsibility. A 2018 study by the Department of Civil Engineering at North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology revealed severe pollution levels in the Dikrong, particularly along the A-Sector, Barapani and Helipad areas of Naharlagun. The study recorded high levels of total dissolved solids, disturbed pH balance, poor water clarity and elevated biochemical oxygen demand, pointing to serious contamination and declining ecological health of the river. Residents say the situation has worsened over the years, with garbage frequently dumped along roadsides and drains, eventually finding its way into the river during rains. “There is hardly any proper system to manage waste. Whatever is thrown on the streets ends up in the Dikrong,” said a local resident. Environmentalists have warned that continued neglect could make river restoration increasingly difficult. “If immediate steps are not taken to regulate waste disposal and improve treatment facilities, the damage may soon become irreversible,” an activist said. With waste continuing to choke both streets and waterways, concerns are mounting over the future of the Dikrong and the long-term sustainability of the urban environment in the twin capital. #arunachalpradesh #northeastindia #dikrong #itanagar #naharlagun