Striving hard to have a Swachh Kumbh in Allahabad in 2019
NEWDELHI:THE National Mission for Clean Ganga and
Uttar Pradesh government are striving hard to showcase what most people believe will be the biggest Kumbh of the century (the January 2019 one in Allahabad, which 140 million people are expected to attend), as a Swachh Kumbh as well by making efforts to minimise pollution in the city as well of the river Ganga.
The efforts are important for the health of river Ganga as the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has estimated that the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013 in which 120 million people participated saw 70% increase in the organic pollution level in the river Ganga. The Ardh Kumbh which starts from the middle of January 2019 and ends on March 4, 2019 is being touted as the ₹₹Divya Kumbh and Bhayva Kumbh’’, according to officials who expect at least another 20 million more people to attend it. “As the Kumbh Mela becomes a major source of pollution for the river Ganga, the one scheduled for next year should not hamper our efforts of cleaning of the river, and both the central and state governments are working out strategies to deal with the problem,’’ said Rajeev Ranjan Mishra, Director General National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
While the state government has proposed building 1.5 lakh toilets in and around Allahabad, NMCG has approved Rs 113 crores for setting up 27,000 community toilets and 20,000 urinal toilets around the mela area. Another 3.6 crores has been approved for purchase of 16,000 dustbins for solid waste management in the mela area.
According to Mishra, the toilets and urinals will be fitted with septic tanks connected through temporary pipelines to the Sewage Treatment plants in Allahabad. He added that the state government is managing the show and that” Namami Gange (as NMCG is known) has extended its support to the Government for preparedness during Kumbh Mela, 2019 focussing on providing proper sanitation facilities for the devotees and to maintain the water quality in the river suitable for bathing.’’
The state government and NMCG are also evaluating other programmes, including educational ones related to the cleaning of the Ganga. “The Mela is being considered as an opportunity to showcase the works carried out under Namami Gange Programme,’’ Mishra said.
Namami Gange will also fund the treatment of over 50 drains meeting the river Ganga and Yamuna in the area near the Sangam (the confluence) and upstream, he added. The Aditya Nath government has allotted Rs 2000 crore for the festival, which is double the budget of the 2013 Maha Kumbh. The area of the Kumbh has also been increased from 1936 hectares in 2013 to over 2500 hectares.
At least 5000 religious and social organisations have already registered for the Mela, a 25% increase over
2013.
The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years at Allahabad and the Maha Kumbh every 144 years in the same city. The Ardh Kumbh is held every six years in Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, or Ujjain.