The holy city of Haridwar is facing an acute sanitation crisis in the aftermath of the recently concluded Kanwar Yatra, with local authorities struggling to clean up massive piles of garbage scattered across public spaces and riverbanks.

Enormous Scale of Waste Discarded

This year's pilgrimage drew an estimated 4.8 crore Kanwariyas to Haridwar. Following the massive gathering, the city has been inundated with more than 7,000 metric tonnes of discarded waste, creating an overwhelming burden for municipal cleanup teams.

Severe Sanitation Hazards

The vast volume of accumulated refuse has resulted in public health concerns across the region. Among the huge mounds of garbage covering the city streets and banks are discarded plastics, domestic waste, and numerous plastic bottles filled with urine left behind by departing pilgrims.

Municipal Restoration Efforts Underway

Sanitation workers are working around the clock to manage the aftermath of the pilgrimage, where the quantity of discarded trash temporarily surpassed the remaining population of devotees. Municipal crews face a significant challenge to clear the thousands of tonnes of waste and restore normal hygiene conditions to the area.