Ujjain: Simhastha 2028: Managing 22,200 Tons of Waste in Ujjain’s Grand Kumbh Mela Ujjain. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation has estimated that the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 will generate a staggering 22,200 tons of waste. On average, the city is expected to produce around 740 tons of solid waste every day during the event. More Pilgrims, Bigger Cleanliness Challenges To effectively manage this enormous amount of waste, the government has been requested to provide 15,220 sanitation workers, 379 vehicles, 4 new waste transfer stations, and 50,000 bio-toilets. In the last Simhastha Kumbh, around 70 million devotees visited Ujjain. However, this time, the number is expected to surpass 130 million, nearly double the previous count. Ujjain Witnessing a Surge in Visitors Ujjain, spread across 92.68 square kilometers, has a population of nearly 700,000. With the development of ‘Mahakal Lok’, the number of devotees visiting the Jyotirlinga Mahakaleshwar Temple has surged 2.5 to 3 times. According to Ujjain Smart City Limited, the city now sees an average daily footfall of 481,000 people. Meanwhile, Ujjain Railway Station records around 36,946 passengers daily, a figure expected to rise to 66,132 during Simhastha.
How Will Waste Be Managed? Currently, Ujjain generates about 240 tons of waste daily, adding up to 7,200 tons per month. In Simhastha 2016, around 18,700 tons of waste was collected over a month, with cleaning costs reaching ₹2.8 million. Based on these figures, the municipality has now estimated 22,200 tons of waste for Simhastha 2028. To handle this, officials have assessed the availability of workers, vehicles, and infrastructure and shared their preliminary plan with Dr. Rajesh Rajora, Additional Chief Secretary. ‘Green Simhastha, Clean Simhastha’: A Sustainable Approach Following the success of the previous event, Simhastha 2028 will once again emphasize eco-friendly practices under the ‘Green Simhastha, Clean Simhastha’ initiative. This means the event will not only ensure cleanliness but also promote greenery across the city and fairgrounds. Efforts will be made to eliminate plastic waste and introduce a ‘Zero Waste Simhastha’ model. The plan focuses on scientific waste disposal methods, ensuring all waste is collected and processed efficiently.
A Compressed Biomethanation Plant, set up by GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited) at the Gondia Trenching Ground, 12 km from the city, will play a key role in waste management.Beyond Waste: Measures for Hygiene and Mosquito Control Apart from waste collection and sanitation, mosquito control measures will also be implemented. During Simhastha 2016, ₹12.5 million was spent on preventing malaria and controlling mosquito breeding. Special fragrant sprays were used on bathing ghats during Shahi Snan (Royal Bathing Days), and similar arrangements are planned for 2028. With the expected influx of millions of devotees, Ujjain is preparing for an unprecedented cleanliness and waste management challenge. The aim is to make Simhastha 2028 an environmentally responsible and hygienic event.
