Following the conclusion of the annual Kanwar Yatra, the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand witnessed massive piles of garbage left behind along the banks of the Ganga river. While millions of pilgrims retrieved sacred Ganga water and departed for their homes, they left behind immense quantities of discarded clothing, footwear, polyethene bags, torn luggage, and decaying food items across the riverfront. To restore cleanliness to the revered site, the local municipal administration launched a massive round the clock sanitation drive.
Accumulation of 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Garbage and Deployment of Workforce
Immediately after the pilgrimage ended, the riverbanks presented a severe sanitation challenge, with decaying organic waste and wet clothes creating foul odors across the area. Officials estimated the total accumulated waste at 7,000 metric tonnes. To address this crisis, more than 1,000 sanitation workers were deployed, working continuously through the night to clear the riverfront.
Removal of Waste Using Heavy Machinery and 89 Large Trucks
Due to the sheer volume of trash scattered across the banks, heavy mechanical equipment was deployed for collection. Over 89 large trucks were utilized to transport the gathered garbage out of Haridwar city. According to official statements, more than 48 million pilgrims visited Haridwar during this season, creating significant operational strain. Although the administration conducted nightly cleaning operations throughout the event to clear daily waste, the volume spiked sharply toward the end.
Disruption During Final Two Days and 95 Percent Clearance Achieved
The accumulation intensified during the final two days of the pilgrimage due to a massive influx of devotees carrying Dak Kanwar. The overwhelming crowd density prevented sanitation teams from carrying out regular cleaning operations during those final 48 hours, leading to the rapid accumulation of the 7,000 metric tonnes of waste. Chief Municipal Commissioner Nandar Kumar stated that cleanup operations achieved 95 percent completion across key sites, including Subhash Ghat, Nai Ghat, Alaknanda Ghat, and Vishnu Ghat.
Ganga Aarti Resumed Following Cleanup Drive
Following the successful sanitation operation, the traditional Ganga Aarti ceremony was conducted with full ceremonial fervor. Attendees praised the rapid response of the municipal workers while emphasizing that visiting pilgrims must exercise greater personal responsibility regarding public cleanliness. The pilgrimage period also saw a tragic incident earlier when 4 Kanwariyas hailing from Chandigarh drowned in the Gangnahar canal while attempting to rescue a fellow pilgrim. Separately, SDRF personnel successfully rescued a drowning individual from the Ganga river in Haridwar.
