Dismantling Mahakumbh Nagar: Authorities Begin Mammoth Cleanup In Prayagraj After Historic Mela Ends
Officials from Mahakumbh Nagar, a temporary administrative district formed for the event, are now working around the clock to dismantle structures, remove waste, and restore the floodplains.
With Mahakumbh 2025 successfully concluding after hosting 66 crore devotees over 45 days, the Uttar Pradesh government is now in for another mammoth task of dismounting the mega temporary city built on the banks of Sangam, Prayagraj, to accommodate the staggering footfall, which made it world’s largest religious congregations in history. Spanning 4,000 hectares, the tent city featured three lakh tents, 1,50,000 toilets, and 500 kilometres of checkered plates across 25 sectors. Additionally, 30 pontoon bridges, 1,306 kilometres of underground pipelines, and 1,582 kilometres of overhead power cables were installed to ensure seamless operations.
Now, as the final devotees depart, authorities brace for an equally formidable challenge — restoring the land to its original form within a strict 15-day deadline, marking the end of yet another historic Mahakumbh.
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The Grand Cleanup Begins
A day after the 45-day Mahakumbh in Prayagraj concluded, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived at the banks of the Sangam. While leading a massive cleanliness drive at Arail Ghat, he lauded the sanitation workers, announcing a Rs 10,000 bonus for those who played a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness. “The success of Mahakumbh is not just in hosting millions but in ensuring that we leave Sangam’s sacred land as pristine as we found it," he said.
However, beyond sanitation, the larger challenge lies in dismantling the extensive infrastructure erected to accommodate the record-breaking footfall. Officials from Mahakumbh Nagar, a temporary administrative district formed for the event, are now working around the clock to dismantle structures, remove waste, and restore the floodplains.
Phased Dismantling Operation
According to Mahakumbh Nagar District Magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand, the dismantling of infrastructure is proceeding in phases. “The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated that waste disposal be completed within 15 days, while the majority of the temporary structures should be dismantled as per a structured plan," he said.
A crucial part of this operation is managing the waste generated during the event. Officials estimate that between 200 and 300 metric tonnes of waste was generated daily, all of which was transported to the Baswar waste processing plant in Ghoorpur, 20 kilometres from the Mela site. The plant, with a capacity of over 1,000 metric tonnes per day, efficiently managed the load throughout the festival. However, as the event concludes, the focus now shifts to ensuring the sacred floodplains are left undisturbed.
Mahakumbh Nagar: Uttar Pradesh’s 76th District to Cease
One of the unique administrative decisions this year was the creation of Mahakumbh Nagar as Uttar Pradesh’s 76th district, exclusively for managing the fair. However, this designation was always intended to be temporary. Additional District Magistrate Vivek Chaturvedi confirmed that Mahakumbh Nagar would cease to exist by March 31, 2025. “The district status was created for the seamless administration of the Mela. Now that the fair has ended, it will revert back, and Prayagraj will resume its regular administrative framework," he stated.
The Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) will notify the state government, following which an official order terminating its district status will be issued.
Breaking Down the Infrastructure
The mammoth task of dismantling Mahakumbh’s infrastructure has been divided among various departments, each with a strict deadline. Officials with Mahakumbh Nagar district administration said, Public Works Department (PWD) has been assigned with the task of removing 500 kilometres of checkered plates and 30 pontoon bridges, which took 75 days to install. “The dismantling process will take almost the same time and is expected to be completed by May 15," said PWD Chief Engineer AK Dwivedi.
While the UP Jal Nigam has been tasked with removing 1,306 kilometres of underground drinking water pipelines, 70,000 tap connections, and 85 tubewells, all within the NGT’s stipulated timeline. “Our priority is ensuring that no pipes or infrastructure remain buried in the ground. The floodplains must be restored to their natural state," said Jal Nigam Chief Engineer Sanjay Gautam. The deadline for this is May 31.
On the other hand, the Power Department has been assigned with one of the most complex tasks of the removal of 1,582 kilometres of overhead power cables, along with 45 substations, 78,000 LED lights, and 2,000 hybrid solar lights. Officials said, “The physical removal will be completed by May 31, while a detailed audit of the entire power infrastructure will continue until October 2025. Safe unwinding is as crucial as installation, and we will take all necessary precautions."
As the final tents are packed, bridges dismantled, and the last waste truck departs, Mahakumbh Nagar’s chapter as Uttar Pradesh’s 76th district will officially close. The government, along with multiple departments, is racing against time to ensure that the dismantling process adheres to environmental regulations, restoring the floodplains before the monsoon arrives.
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