At the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, the sacred confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna faced a significant challenge.
The Ganga split into three distinct streams due to sand islands. This splitting prevented a proper union at the Sangam. In response, a colossal project was undertaken to reclaim and expand the confluence area. Over 80 grueling days, 16,000 laborers worked tirelessly. They created an extra 26 hectares of land near the Sangam. This transformation accommodated millions of pilgrims.
Months before the Mahakumbh, extensive preparatory work was carried out by Clean Tech Infra Company. The Municipal Corporation and the Irrigation Department guided the project. They deployed advanced machinery to widen the river channel. This ensured a seamless, unified bathing experience for devotees. The project faced many challenges. Boats were trapped in whirlpools. There were outbreaks of diseases like dengue. Workers also missed family celebrations. In one dramatic episode, teams had to scuba dive in the swift currents of the Ganga. They installed an 80-kilogram, 350-millimeter pipe. This accomplishment was a testament to their unwavering commitment.
Teams used four powerful draggers, each weighing between 20 and 40 tons. They labored continuously to reclaim the land. This included a notable 2-hectare area known as Sangam Noz, the exact point where the Ganga meets the Yamuna. The primary aim was to supply a larger, safer space for pilgrims to carry out their sacred rituals. Additionally, the fair administration and the Irrigation Department collaborated to prepare an extra 2 hectares of land. They had the assistance of approximately 250 skilled operators and over 16,000 laborers. This effort increased the capacity to host nearly 200,000 more pilgrims compared to earlier years.
A report from IIT Guwahati highlighted the necessity to regulate the Ganga’s flow near Shastri Bridge. The Mahakumbh administration initially undertook efforts to manage the challenge. Yet, they later assigned the task to the Irrigation Department due to its complexity. Over an intense 83-day period, the draggers removed approximately 700,000 cubic meters of sand from the river. This volume was enough to fill 187 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Nine new ghats were constructed to improve accessibility and safety for festival-goers.
The logistical operations were equally remarkable. The Irrigation Department efficiently transported three draggers from Bahraich to Prayagraj by road. They disassembled each dragger into parts. The parts were then loaded onto flatbed trailer trucks. Transporting one dragger required four trucks. The process took nearly five days. After that, 75 laborers reassembled the equipment on the riverbank. They used a 120-ton capacity crane, three 14-ton Hydra cranes, and a backhoe excavator.
Gaurav Chopra, Managing Editor of Clean Track Infra Company, explained that devotees had long bathed at the Sangam. However, separate sand islands had hindered the proper confluence of the rivers. Heavy machinery was used to dredge and remove these islands. As a result, the ghat was widened. The river now flows as a single, unified stream, thereby expanding the available space. He added that his company remains committed to continuously cleaning the river with high-effort operations and recycling the extracted material.
This monumental engineering effort marks a significant milestone in the preparations for the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. It ensures that the sacred confluence is not only restored but also expanded. Millions of pilgrims will be welcomed with enhanced safety and a more enriching spiritual experience.
