Kumbh: 700 ‘Ganga praharis’ to monitor river cleanliness

TO MAINTAIN cleanliness of the Ganga River before and during Maha Kumbh 2025, the state government has decided to deploy an additional 200 ‘Ganga praharis’ from across the country. Officials said on Sunday that at present, 500 Ganga praharis are working to ensure the “cleanliness and purity of both the Ganga and the Yamuna.”

However, keeping Maha Kumbh 2025 in mind, during which lakhs of devotees are expected to take a holy dip in the Sangam, over 200 specially trained Ganga praharis would be deployed under the Namami Gange project, the officials said.

Officials said around 25 ghats would witness a large number of devotees during the Maha Kumbh. Teams comprising 15-20 Ganga praharis would be deployed at each ghat and operate in shifts during the Maha Kumbh. Officials said these teams would also sensitise pilgrims about the importance of “preserving river sanctity.”