The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, one of the largest spiritual congregations in the world, has set a new benchmark in environmental management by collecting and recycling an unprecedented 600 tonnes of floating waste.
This initiative, combining faith, technology, and sustainability, has offered a model for large-scale event management.
With an estimated 55 crore devotees participating in the religious gathering at the Sangam, the Uttar Pradesh government undertook significant infrastructural and ecological measures to ensure a smooth and sustainable experience.
Among the key undertakings was the unification of the Ganga’s three separate streams into a single flow through a 2.5-kilometre-long dredging initiative.
This ambitious project, executed over 20 days using 83 high-capacity dredgers operating round the clock, reclaimed 22 hectares of land, facilitating the expansion of the Mela site and improving accessibility.
Over six lakh cubic metres of sand and sediment were removed, significantly enhancing water flow and optimising land use.
Anil Garg, Principal Secretary of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, hailed the project as a monumental feat.
Also read: Ganga water in Bihar unfit for bathing after Kumbh: Survey
“Reclaiming land equivalent to 1,000 tennis courts and expanding the Sangam area to accommodate two lakh pilgrims at a time is a historic achievement,” he remarked.
Gaurav Chopra, Managing Director and Co-founder of Cleantec Infra, underscored the scale of operations involved.
"Completing this project within just two months was a challenge, but we are proud to have supported the UP Government in achieving it," he stated.
He further elaborated on the deployment of three high-capacity dredging machines, which operated continuously to remove vast amounts of sediment.
Ensuring the cleanliness of the Ganga remained a key priority, with advanced trash skimming technology deployed under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
These skimmers collected 10-15 tonnes of floating waste daily, with the amount peaking at 20-25 tonnes on special occasions, culminating in a record collection of 600 tonnes.
"Keeping the Ganga clean during an event of this scale required precision-driven execution," noted Chopra. "Our skimmers worked round the clock to remove floating waste in real-time before it could accumulate, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of clean water. The collected waste was then responsibly processed, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability."
Chopra further emphasised that large-scale events should not come at the cost of environmental responsibility.
"We have set a precedent that sustainable waste management is possible even for massive gatherings. Mechanised cleaning solutions should not be limited to special events but must become an ongoing effort for water body management across India," he maintained.
Also read: How Prayagraj has learnt to live with Kumbh stampedes
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