Preparations are in full swing to ensure the Maha Kumbh 2025, set to take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, is not only grand and spiritually elevating, but also safe and hygienic.
In line with these efforts, UP Jal Nigam (Urban) has set up a geotube technology-based treatment plant in Salori. Built at the cost of Rs 55 crore, the plant will treat wastewater from all 22 untapped drains in the city, ensuring that no untreated water flows into the Ganga, in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring that the waters of the holy river remain clean, uninterrupted, and meet the highest standards of purity as millions of devotees are expected to gather in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati rivers.
It is worth mentioning here that in the Magh and Kumbh Melas held before 2019, devotees often had to bathe in the contaminated water of the Sangam. However, in line with CM Yogi’s explicit directive to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater from drains or sewage into holy rivers, the geotube technology-based treatment plant has been established in Salori.
Executive engineer of Jal Nigam (Urban) Saurabh Kumar stated that the plant, built at a cost of Rs 55 crore, is currently undergoing trial runs and will be fully operational from January 1, ensuring clean and pure water flows at the Sangam during the grand event.
He further explained that the geotube technology is a modern sewage water treatment method. The technology treats 40-50 per cent of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and approximately 80 per cent of the total suspended solids (TSS) directly within the geotubes.
Following this, the treated water is purified using hydrogen peroxide and undergoes ozonisation. Kumar clarified that ozonisation is used instead of chlorination in this plant as high concentrations of chlorine in treated water can be harmful to aquatic life.
Ozonisation effectively kills all types of faecal bacteria, making the water safe for release into rivers. The entire process is monitored 24/7 through OCEMS technology.
Notably, during his visit to Prayagraj on December 12, CM Yogi inspected the treatment plant and gave instructions to ensure its smooth functioning during the Maha Kumbh.
