Ganga recedes in Haridwar for 18 days, exposing 150 tonnes of waste

For 18 days, as the Upper Ganga Canal remained closed for its annual maintenance, hundreds of sanitation workers and volunteers took to the exposed riverbed in Haridwar to remove accumulated silt and waste ahead of Ardh Kumbh 2027.

The extensive cleaning operation covered nearly 10 kilometres of the river stretch, from Khadkhadi to Jwalapur, transforming parts of the riverbed that had remained buried under layers of waste and debris.

With the water flow at Har Ki Pauri reduced during the maintenance period, workers could access sections of the riverbed that are usually submerged. Around 200 workers, volunteers and members of various organisations participated in the campaign.

The 18-day drive removed about 150 metric tonnes of waste, including plastic bags, discarded clothes, footwear, flowers, mud, and other debris. This was significantly higher than the 70–80 tonnes collected during the previous year's cleaning operation.

The impact of the campaign has also caught public attention, with videos showing unusually clear water in parts of the Ganga going viral on social media.

The operation assumes particular significance as Haridwar prepares for Ardh Kumbh 2027, when millions of devotees are expected to visit the holy city.

The large-scale exercise highlights the effort required to maintain the cleanliness of one of India's most sacred rivers. While the temporary closure of the canal provided an opportunity to clean the exposed riverbed, sustained public participation and responsible waste disposal remain essential to protecting the Ganga.