Prayagraj – In a bid to enhance cleanliness and management at the Kumbh Mela site and throughout the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh’s Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma joined a collective cleanliness program. The program was aimed at improving cleanliness in the Mahakumbh pilgrimage area and all 100 wards of the city. Participating in the event at the Nagvasuki Temple, Kun-kun Shriwala Gali, and Dashashwamedh Ghat, the minister personally contributed by sweeping the streets and collecting waste. He also visited the homes of respected citizens to spread the message of cleanliness, hoping to present Prayagraj as a model city during the Kumbh Mela.
Speaking during the cleanliness drive at Dashashwamedh Ghat, AK Sharma emphasized that the 2025 Mahakumbh would symbolize India’s rich cultural heritage, spirituality, and modernization. He stated that preparations for the Kumbh Mela are nearly complete and that the event will be unprecedented in its grandeur and divinity. He encouraged everyone to participate in this massive cleanliness effort, calling it a collective responsibility.
“We must work together to make Kumbh 2025 a clean, safe, and sacred environment for all pilgrims and visitors,” he added. Shri Sharma also highlighted the pivotal role of the Urban Development Department as the nodal agency for organizing the Kumbh Mela.
During the event, 1200 sanitation workers were honored and given hygiene kits for their services. In addition, a street play and cleanliness songs were performed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining cleanliness. Sharma also reaffirmed that 3500 sanitation workers are working tirelessly to make the city cleaner, along with the placement of 5000 dustbins and the construction of 1.5 lakh toilets and changing rooms in preparation for the Kumbh.
The minister also praised the efforts of the state government in launching development projects worth 15,000 crore rupees in Prayagraj over the past 18-24 months. These include key infrastructure projects like the Dashashwamedh Ghat and improvements to the railway station, national highways, and airport. He further emphasized that the city’s transformation includes widening roads, constructing over 9 new ghats along the Ganges, and the installation of high-quality public amenities.
AK Sharma addressed concerns raised by opposition parties regarding visible infrastructure improvements, pointing out that in the past, power infrastructure was often unreliable, with long periods of power outages. He clarified that under the Yogi government, electricity poles and wires are being laid properly to ensure continuous power supply during the Kumbh Mela.
The minister also stressed the importance of managing the expected influx of 45 to 48 crore pilgrims, underscoring the need for smooth logistical coordination. In his concluding remarks, he urged citizens to avoid using plastic and to maintain cleanliness by disposing of waste responsibly.
Sharma further appealed to the public to keep water bodies, especially the Ganges, free from religious offerings and other waste materials, which is in line with the traditions of cleanliness and environmental preservation found in Indian scriptures. He called upon the citizens of Prayagraj to make this Kumbh Mela a model of organized management, not only for India but for the world.
The event saw the participation of several distinguished individuals, including Prayagraj Mayor Ganesh Keserwani, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Amrit Abhijat, Special Secretary Amit Singh, Municipal Commissioner Chandermohan Garg, and additional officials from the department, along with thousands of citizens and pilgrims from across the country.
With this vigorous cleanliness campaign and comprehensive preparations, Uttar Pradesh is set to present Kumbh Mela 2025 as an event that blends spirituality, culture, and modern urban management.
