The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has attracted millions of devotees, resulting in not only a spiritual surge but also a significant increase in the amount of garbage in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The faithful’s offerings, including flowers, garlands, incense sticks, coconuts, clothes, and other items, often end up floating in the rivers during the sacred ritual of bathing at the Sangam.
As the number of pilgrims has swelled, so has the volume of trash, especially from the religious offerings left behind by devotees. This increase in garbage has prompted the authorities to deploy specialized equipment to maintain the purity of the water at the Sangam, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet. A trash skimmer machine, which has been in use for four years, works tirelessly to remove floating waste from the rivers. On average, it clears between 10 and 15 tons of garbage every day, a significant surge from previous years.
Officials have reported that the amount of garbage collected by the skimmer machine has increased 20-fold since the start of the Mahakumbh. Previously, the machine collected 50-60 quintals of garbage daily, but with the influx of pilgrims, it now handles far more waste. Due to its effectiveness, a second trash skimmer was introduced by the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation around two years ago, doubling the speed of cleaning operations.
Each skimmer has a capacity of 13 cubic meters and can clean a 4-kilometer stretch of river, covering areas from the Sangam to the boat club. This effort is not limited to the Ganga; the Yamuna is also being cleaned using the same machines. The waste collected is then transported to a disposal site near Naini, from where it is taken to a plant in Baswar for proper disposal.
The trash skimmer is specifically designed to collect garbage from rivers, seas, and ports. It can pick up a wide range of waste, from plastic bottles to puja offerings, clothes, and even dead animals. By utilizing these machines, the authorities aim to ensure that the waters at Sangam remain clean and suitable for the religious ceremonies.
As the Maha Kumbh continues, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation is working diligently to balance the increased flow of devotees with environmental responsibility. The trash skimmer’s efficiency is helping to manage the growing waste problem, ensuring that the sacred waters of the Ganga and Yamuna stay as pure as possible for those seeking spiritual fulfillment.
