As Uttar Pradesh readies itself for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, the focus is on enhancing environmental sustainability ahead of an anticipated gathering of 50 crore participants from around the globe along the banks of the Ganga river.
In this context, the Namami Ganga Mission, a central flagship has drawn a Rs 211 crore massive plan towards initiatives aimed at preserving the purity of the Ganga river and ensuring cleanliness throughout this significant religious event slated from January 14 to February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj.
Three projects were cleared at the 55th meeting of the Executive Committee held under the chairmanship of Rajiv Kumar Mittal, Director General of National Clean Ganga Mission.
In the meeting, additionally, a project costing Rs 134.71 crore was sanctioned for interception and diversion, along with STP works in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, Rs 27.02 crore was allocated to enhance the capacity of the STP located in Barikala, Lucknow.
Notably, Rs 152.37 crore has been allocated for sanitation-related infrastructure for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. This project includes the construction of 54,400 toilets and urinals, along with a primary solid waste collection system. The objective is to provide adequate facilities for the convenience of pilgrims attending Mahakumbh by constructing temporary sanitation facilities and ensuring cleanliness and improved river water quality during the event, said an official from the Mission.
Additionally, Rs 55.57 crore has been approved to intercept and treat sewage from 22 drains in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh. The main aim of this project is to stop and completely treat the sewage from these drains, thereby ensuring the continuity and purity of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers during the festival. During the meeting, a project worth Rs 134.71 crore was approved for interception and diversion and STP works in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh.
The project aims to enhance sewage infrastructure by constructing and implementing measures to prevent and divert sewage and pollution of local water bodies.
Additionally, Rs 27.02 crore has been approved to increase the capacity of the 1 MLD STP at Barikala in Lucknow to 3.5 MLD. This upgrade is intended to strengthen the existing sewage treatment infrastructure to handle the increasing flow of sewage more effectively.A senior official said, “Given the massive influx of pilgrims, the event requires extensive infrastructure to manage accommodations, sanitation, healthcare, security, and transportation.
Temporary tent cities (Kumbh Nagars) are set up to accommodate millions of pilgrims.
“Ensuring cleanliness and sanitation is crucial during the Maha Kumbh.
Large-scale projects are undertaken to build temporary toilets, urinals, and solid waste management systems to maintain hygiene and prevent pollution of the rivers.
The sanctioned project aims to ensure cleanliness and contamination free water to the visitors and pilgrims,” he added.
Since the inception of the Namami Gange Programme in financial year 2014-15 till 2022-23, the Government has released Rs 14329 crore to the scheme for the implementation of the project aimed to implement a comprehensive set of interventions for pollution abatement measures to tackle different sources of pollution.
