NEW DELHI: Maha Kumbh 2025 will be remembered for many things, but one engineering marvel stands out — the unification of the Ganga’s three separate streams into a single, cohesive flow. Through a 2.5-kilometre dredging project, the river’s course was restored, reclaiming land equivalent to 1,000 tennis courts. This first-of-its-kind intervention expanded the Mela premises by 22 hectares, ensuring better organisation and accessibility for millions of devotees.
The Ganga had previously shifted its course, splitting into three streams that affected its purity and created logistical challenges for the Kumbh Mela. Officials noted that the uneven riverbed led to the formation of sand islands, making the task particularly complex. “We relied on advanced technology and our expertise in water body management to overcome what initially seemed like an insurmountable challenge,” an irrigation department official said.
Anil Garg, principal secretary, irrigation and water resources department, highlighted the scale of the achievement: “This feat of reclaiming land equivalent to 1,000 tennis courts and expanding the Sangam nose to accommodate two lakh pilgrims at a time is unparalleled,” he said.
This success was driven by a blend of technology, engineering, and human determination. “The project had to be completed within a two-month window from mid-Oct to Dec 31. We deployed three high-capacity dredging machines — two with a capacity of 250 cubic metres and one with 350 cubic metres — to remove over six lakh cubic metres of sand,” explained Gaurav Chopra, managing director of Cleantec Infra.
Chopra also highlighted the unique challenges posed by strong river currents and fluctuating water levels. “To maintain stability, dredgers were anchored to pontoon bridges, allowing continuous 24/7 operations in shifts. Despite setbacks like broken pins and shifting machinery, the team stayed focused,” he said. With guidance from chief minister Yogi Adityanath and strategic input from IIT-Guwahati, an additional dredger was deployed to accelerate the work.
The unified flow of the Ganga was successfully achieved just in time for Maha Kumbh 2025, creating a more structured and expansive Sangam area for devotees. This not only enhanced the spiritual experience but also ensured smoother logistics for the event’s large crowds.
In addition to merging the streams, the project involved levelling and preparing the ground with five lakh metric tonnes of sand, making the Mela area more accessible. Officials and experts believe this project could serve as a replicable model for managing other water bodies across the country.