Maha Kumbh 2025: Ensuring a "dip-safe" Ganga with advanced waste management and pollution control

Authorities are implementing robust measures to ensure the Ganga remains "dip-safe" during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which began on January 13 and will continue for 45 days. Over eight crore pilgrims have already taken a holy dip at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—with an estimated 50 lakh visitors expected on Mauni Amavasya on January 29.

Waste and Water Management Measures
To handle the daily generation of 16 million litres of fecal sludge and 240 million litres of greywater, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹1,600 crore for water and waste management. Initiatives include:

Daily Pollution Testing: The Pollution Control Board conducts daily water sample testing to maintain bathing quality, with Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels kept below three units.
Greywater Treatment: A 200-km temporary drainage system channels greywater to treatment plants, supported by prefabricated Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs).
Advanced Technology: Human waste is processed using technology developed by ISRO and BARC, ensuring no untreated sewage reaches the river.
Preventing River Pollution
Pooja Material Separation: Machines deployed at ghats every two hours remove flowers, coconuts, and other ritual items from the river.
Individual Toilets: Sintex tanks beneath toilets prevent contamination of sandy riverbanks. The collected sludge is regularly desludged and sent to treatment facilities.
Sustainable Practices and Public Awareness
The government has launched campaigns like "One Plate, One Bag" to distribute cloth bags and steel utensils, making the event plastic-free. Akhara leaders have appealed to devotees to adhere to time limits for bathing and refrain from throwing shoes or clothes into the river.

UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh emphasized that all untreated drains are being tapped and processed to maintain the Ganga’s purity during this massive religious gathering. With these efforts, officials aim to ensure that the world’s largest religious congregation remains environmentally sustainable and spiritually enriching.