The National Green Tribunal (NGT), an environmental body in India, has expressed grave concern over the handling of solid waste during Kumbh Mela, a religious gathering that spans several months. The NGT’s investigation revealed systemic issues involving treatment facilities, water pollution, and health risks, leading to a formal rebuke of the state administration for poor event management.
Inadequate Sewage Treatment Facilities
An integral part of the problem resides in the lackluster capabilities of the city’s sewage treatment plant. According to the NGT, the plant is incapable of managing the significant amount of solid waste produced during the Kumbh Mela. Despite receiving approximately 60,000 metric tonnes (mt) of untreated solid waste at the Baswar treatment plant, roughly 18,000 mt was generated directly by the festival. Furthermore, the plant was not operational since September 2018, which further exacerbated the issue.
Insufficient Sewage Treatment Capacity
The district’s sewage treatment capacity, estimated to be around 254 million liters per day (MLD), also fell short. This capacity could not handle even half of the sewage produced at the event. One contributing factor to this problem was the use of kutcha pits to collect dirty water from toilets. This presented a significant risk to both environment and public health, especially due to groundwater contamination.
Anticipated Health Risks
User-unfriendly practices and poor sanitation infrastructure could lead to alarming health consequences. The NGT report warned of a potential spike in illnesses such as acute diarrhea, enteric fever, viral hepatitis, and cholera. These dire predictions underline the urgent necessity for improved solid waste management.
| Health Risk | Potential Cause |
|---|---|
| Acute Diarrhea | Contaminated water and poor sanitation |
| Enteric Fever | Dirty Water from toilets |
| Viral Hepatitis | Inadequate sewage treatment |
| Cholera | Groundwater contamination |
Construction on Flood Plains and Geo-tube Technology
The NGT report also highlighted concerns about pucca constructions being erected on flood plains. It held that there was a distinct lack of effective environmental protection and pollution control planning for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The report also questioned the use of geo-tube technology to filter sewage waste before discharging it into the river, as it has failed to solve the solid waste issue.
Introduction to Geo-tube
A Geo-tube container is a dual filament, polypropylene fabric solution designed for dewatering tasks. Tailored to individual project requirements, this technology offers a simple, low-maintenance and cost-effective solution for many industries. However, in the context of the Kumbh Mela, the geo-tube technology proved inadequate in addressing the solid waste problem, thereby necessitating exploration of alternative solutions.
State Administration Admonished
In light of these findings, the NGT has openly criticized the state administration for their lackluster arrangements and poor management of the religious event. The issues raised span across a variety of sectors, emphasizing the need for systemic change and sustainable developmental practices.
