7000 tonnes of garbage: Haridwar readies for “mega clean-up” after Kanwariyas depart

The holy city of Haridwar is grappling with an immense waste management challenge following the conclusion of the two-week Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage. Officials estimate that nearly 48 million pilgrims generated over 7,000 tonnes of garbage, a record high. Heaps of discarded items, including plastic, clothing, and non-degradable materials, are scattered throughout the city, posing a significant environmental concern.

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approximately 7000 tonnes of garbage was generated during the two weeks of Kanwar yatra. It is being cleared since Tuesday evening, as Kanwariyas started leaving the city for their respective destinations after the Shravan Shivratri Ganga Aarti. Sanitation workers have been deployed in groups around Har-ki-Pauri and the Mela.

Municipal authorities highlighted that the areas most affected by the unregulated dumping are the ghats along the Ganga river, market areas, access roads, and designated parking lots. The sheer volume of waste requires extensive efforts for collection, transportation, and disposal, which is expected to take several days. Sanitation workers have been deployed in large numbers to tackle the mess, working on a war footing to clear the accumulated garbage.

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Waste collection and disposal is also being carried out in city markets, lanes, roads and parking lots on a war footing.

In response to the situation, the Haridwar district administration has launched a "mega cleanliness" drive, scheduled from August 12 to 18. The initiative aims to return the city to its pre-pilgrimage cleanliness levels. This extensive clean-up operation involves not only civic agencies but also calls for participation from local residents, the saint community, religious organizations, educational institutions, volunteers, and traders.

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Heaps of garbage and waste are lying at Ganga ghats, in the Kanwar Mela zone, along the Kanwar patri and throughout the pedestrian routes used by Kanwariyas to travel, rest and camp, as well as at vehicle parking areas.

Officials noted that discarded clothing alone amounts to several metric tonnes and will be recycled. Senior officials are monitoring the waste collection and disposal efforts both on-site and online to ensure timely completion. Over 1,000 sanitation personnel and 100 outsourced workers have been mobilized for this critical task.

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While civic agencies are already involved in the clearance, it is vital that local residents, the saint community, religious organisations, educational institutions, volunteers and traders also participate.