Haridwar Launches Mega Clean-Up After 48 Million Pilgrims Leave 7000 Tonnes of Garbage
Haridwar is undertaking a major clean-up operation after the Kanwar Yatra generated over 7000 tonnes of waste. Municipal officials are working to dispose of the garbage, which includes plastic, clothes, and non-degradable materials, amidst concerns of escalating pollution and disease.
Key takeaways
- Haridwar generated over 7000 tonnes of garbage during the recent two-week Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage.
- Nearly 48 million pilgrims visited the city, setting a record number.
- A large-scale cleanliness drive is underway from August 12 to August 18 to manage the waste.
- Over 1000 sanitation workers and 80 vehicles are involved in the clean-up operation.
- Discarded clothing amounting to several metric tonnes will be recycled.
The city of Haridwar is facing a significant waste management challenge following the conclusion of the two-week Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage. Officials report that approximately 7000 tonnes of garbage were generated by the record number of nearly 48 million pilgrims who visited the city.
Heaps of waste, comprising plastic, clothing, and non-degradable materials, are scattered across the city, particularly at Ganga river ghats, market areas, access roads, and parking sites. Municipal authorities began clearing the refuse on Tuesday evening after the pilgrims started departing.
To address the issue, the Haridwar district administration has initiated a large-scale cleanliness drive running from August 12 to August 18. The aim is to restore the city's sanitation levels to their pre-pilgrimage state.
The effort involves over 1000 sanitation personnel and 100 outsourced workers, supported by 80 vehicles for waste collection, transportation, and disposal. Senior officials are monitoring the operation, which is being conducted on an urgent basis.
Discarded clothing left by pilgrims, amounting to several metric tonnes, is slated for recycling. Experts have urged swift disposal of the waste to mitigate risks of increased pollution and the potential spread of disease in the popular pilgrimage destination.
The district administration has called for community involvement, seeking participation from local residents, religious groups, educational institutions, volunteers, and traders in the clean-up drive. Support for this initiative has been voiced by the seer community, with the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, an apex body of religious orders, pledging the involvement of monks and officials from various akhadas.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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