3.5 lakh kg of bleaching powder, 1 crore litre of cleaning solution: How massive sanitation drive is keeping Maha Kumbh Mela clean

The Uttar Pradesh government has also engaged Bangalore University to develop an advanced oxidation technology for toilet sanitation.

One of the biggest challenges at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene amid the massive daily influx of devotees.

Private and government agencies have used over 1 crore litres of cleaning solutions for sanitation in the Mela region, including 1.5 lakh toilets. The Uttar Pradesh government has also engaged Bangalore University to develop an advanced oxidation technology for toilet sanitation.

Since the beginning of Maha Kumbh on January 13, authorities have deployed large quantities of cleaning agents, including 3.5 lakh kg of bleaching powder, 75,600 litres of phenyl, and 41,000 kg of malathion to maintain hygiene in the Mela area, which has welcomed over 50 crore devotees so far.

On Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s orders, only eco-friendly cleaning solutions are being used by multiple agencies, as per the Times of India report.

A robust waste management system has been implemented, said the principal secretary of the Urban Development Department, Amrit Abhijat.

There is a dedicated team of officials monitoring cleanliness. Around 650 metric tonnes of garbage are processed daily at the Baswar plant in Prayagraj, while 350 suction machines have been deployed to manage wet waste.

To prevent pollution in the rivers at Sangam, three temporary sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been set up in addition to the three permanent STPs in the city.

Medical officers, supervisors, and sectoral in-charges have also been deputed to oversee sanitation efforts.

Highlighting the scale of operations, Nodal officer for sanitation services, Akansha Rana, said that over 70,827 litres of cleaning agents, 70,582 litres of phenyl concentrate, 3.53 lakh kg of bleaching powder, 1,675 kg of naphthalene balls, and 39,812 kg of malathion dust have been distributed to sanitation workers.

Rana credited Bangalore University’s oxidation technology for maintaining a fresh and hygienic environment throughout the event.

Learning from past experiences, the Mela administration has taken proactive steps to improve the living conditions of sanitation workers, which includes setting up model sanitation colonies with access to drinking water, electricity, and toilets, as well as establishing primary schools and Anganwadi centres for their children.

Workers now receive wages directly in their bank accounts on a fortnightly basis, eliminating the role of middlemen. Free meals are being provided through community kitchens, and workers have been covered under health, life, and accidental insurance schemes.