Maha Kumbh: Comprehensive Measures in Place to Ensure Ganga’s Water Quality During the Mega Event

Prayagraj, January 24: As the Maha Kumbh Mela continues in Prayagraj, authorities are implementing a range of measures to maintain the purity of the Ganga and ensure the river remains safe for the millions of pilgrims taking a holy dip. The event, which began on January 13 and runs for 45 days, attracts over eight crore devotees, with an estimated 50 lakh expected to attend on key bathing days such as Mauni Amavasya, on January 29.

Ensuring Water Quality With massive foot traffic generating millions of liters of wastewater daily, the Uttar Pradesh government has prioritized water and waste management for the event. A team from the Pollution Control Board conducts daily water sampling at various ghats to ensure that the river's Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) remains below three units—considered safe for bathing. BOD is a critical measure of water quality, with higher levels indicating greater impurity.

"We are ensuring that the water remains of bathing quality throughout the event," stated UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh. "Technologies from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are being utilized to manage human waste, ensuring that no untreated sewage reaches the river."

Waste Management Infrastructure Significant infrastructure investments have been made to handle the immense volume of waste generated during the Kumbh. The state government has allocated Rs 1,600 crore of the total Rs 7,000 crore budget for water and waste management. Measures include the installation of 1.45 lakh toilets, the establishment of Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs), and the construction of a 200-km temporary drainage system to channel greywater to treatment facilities.

"We have ensured that no untreated sewage reaches the river," Singh added. "All drains not connected to sewage treatment plants are being tapped and treated using various technologies."

The FSTPs, designed to handle faecal sludge, ensure that waste is properly treated and disposed of, with regular desludging and transportation to treatment plants. Additionally, Sintex plastic tanks are being placed beneath toilets to prevent human waste from coming into contact with the ground, reducing the risk of contamination.

Cleanliness and Environment Protection To further protect the Ganga’s integrity, strict measures are being taken to manage the waste generated during religious rituals. On various ghats, machines are deployed every two hours to remove pooja materials, including flowers and coconuts, from the river. Ganga Sevadoots are stationed to promptly collect and dispose of ritual waste, maintaining the cleanliness of the ghats.

Aiming for a plastic-free Kumbh, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) launched the "One Plate, One Bag" campaign, distributing cloth bags and steel plates and glasses to replace disposable plastic items. The initiative aims to minimize the environmental impact of the religious gathering.

Call for Discipline and Responsibility Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, appealed to all akharas and pilgrims to strictly follow the prescribed schedule and leave the ghats promptly to allow for timely cleaning. He also urged attendees not to throw shoes or clothing into the Ganga, emphasizing the importance of preserving the river’s sanctity.

With these comprehensive measures in place, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that the Ganga remains "dip-safe" for millions of devotees during the Maha Kumbh, balancing religious significance with environmental responsibility.