He has been cleaning waste and debris from the river largely on his own, despite health risks and encounters with snakes, news agency ANI reported. A 21-year-old BSc student in Madhya Pradesh has taken up the task of cleaning the polluted Ajnar River in Biaora, with the local municipality now supporting his efforts. Surendra Singh Chaudhary, known on social media as ‘Bittu Tabahi’, began his campaign on January 26, 2026.
“The ‘before-and-after’ photos he posted on social media are based on this reality; the photos are authentic. The proposed sewage treatment plant is aimed at addressing the flow of wastewater into the river and tackling the pollution problem at its source. Chaudhary’s campaign has meanwhile highlighted the condition of the Ajnar River and the challenges faced by citizens trying to clean polluted water bodies without professional equipment or resources.
The ‘before’ image shows the initial state, while the ‘after’ image shows the condition following the water flow that cleared the debris,” Mr Netam said. “To stop this wastewater, we have prepared a proposal to construct an STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) costing approximately ₹14.77 crore,” Mr Netam said.
Bittu Tabahi has also faced infections in his limbs while carrying out the clean-up near a local temple. His efforts have drawn attention on social media, where he has shared photographs showing the condition of the river before and after the clean-up.
