PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Haridwar
The Municipal Corporation of Haridwar (MCH) collected and disposed of about 8,000 metric tonnes of solid waste during the Kanwad Yatra in which about 4.5 crore Kanwadiyas visited this year. About 80 per cent of this waste was single-use plastic, the Haridwar additional municipal commissioner Deepak Goswami said.
He told The Pioneer that a large-scale post-event sanitation drive was launched immediately after the conclusion of the pilgrimage on Wednesday. Cleanup operations in the core zones and major ghats were completed on the night of the event’s conclusion, while remaining areas were cleared by July 24. He informed that throughout the Kanwad Yatra, the corporation managed an increased daily garbage load of around 600 metric tonnes, up from the usual 300 metric tonnes. This included an additional 300 to 400 metric tonnes per day collected since July 11.
The sanitation efforts were made possible through a continuous monitoring system and regular waste collection during the Yatra period, he added. “More than 1,000 sanitation workers were deployed in three shifts to maintain cleanliness across public places, main roads and pilgrimage sites. Biodegradable liner bags were used for waste collection and disposal, enabling a more structured and environmentally conscious process,” Goswami said.
He also informed that drone cameras and ground-level supervisors conducted real-time surveillance of sanitation activities, which helped maintain oversight despite the high footfall. All temporary toilets installed for the Yatra remained operational throughout the event, helping avoid sanitation-related issues for pilgrims.
According to Goswami, almost all of the collected waste has been sent to the waste management plant, where it is expected to be segregated and disposed of within seven to 10 days. Goswami stated that the post-Yatra sanitation drive was part of its commitment to maintaining cleanliness and ensuring essential services for all visitors. Similar organised initiatives are planned for future events. Nearly 80 per cent of the total 8,000 metric tonnes of garbage collected during the Yatra was single-use plastic. This figure reflects a rising dependence on disposable items during mass gatherings and presents a growing challenge for sustainable waste management.
The authorities also acknowledged the need for increased awareness and stronger enforcement of plastic reduction measures during such events.
