Guwahati: The mighty feat of reuniting three divergent Ganga streams into one, ahead of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, to ensure a seamless experience for devotees might offer water experts in Assam some lessons to scale up their efforts in Brahmaputra River management.
Besides, the herculean task of managing floating waste in the Ganga may also serve as a model to help augment the Assam government’s efforts in Brahmaputra waste management.
The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has not only been a spiritual spectacle but also an example of engineering marvel and environmental management.
One of the most significant projects at the Maha Kumbh was a 2.5-kilometre-long dredging operation to restore the Ganga’s natural course.
This not only improved the river’s navigability but also expanded the available land by reclaiming 22 hectares, making the Mela grounds more accessible.
Also, a proactive approach was taken to ensure the Ganga remained clean throughout the festival. A fleet of trash skimmers was deployed to patrol the river 24/7, collecting floating waste such as flowers, coconuts, and other discarded materials.
On average, 10-15 tonnes of waste are being removed daily and sent for processing at a dedicated recycling facility.
Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh had said that the government made sure to integrate advanced technology with dedicated human effort to maintain the river’s cleanliness.
He had also informed that the trash skimmers played a vital role in continuously collecting waste and sending it for recycling.
Gaurav Chopra, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Cleantec Infra, the company entrusted with the project by the Mela authorities, highlighted the potential for replicating these efforts elsewhere,
He said, “The sheer scale of this project was remarkable. We collaborated closely with the Mela Pradhikaran, the Irrigation & Water Resources Department, and the Municipal Corporation of Prayagraj to ensure the initiative met all requirements while upholding the sanctity of the Sangam.”
It’s a story of meticulous planning, technical expertise, and the will to overcome natural challenges.
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Experts believe that these interventions should be studied as replicable models for addressing similar challenges across the country, particularly for the Brahmaputra, which holds immense ecological and economic significance for the Northeast.
