Herculean effort
A 26-hectare area was reclaimed, including two hectares for the Sangam Nose, to accommodate 2 lakh more devotees during the Maha Kumbh.
Massive workforce and dredging operation
Over 250 skilled dredger operators and 16,000 laborers worked non-stop for 80 days under dangerous conditions, using four dredgers weighing 20-40 tons.
Streamlining the ganga
After an IIT-Guwahati report, the task of streamlining the Ganga, which flowed in three channels, was handed to the irrigation department due to its complexity.
Sand extraction
Seven lakh cubic meters of sand were extracted from the Ganga, equivalent to filling 187 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Abhishek Shukla's dredging experience
Abhishek Shukla, a dredge master from Kanpur, worked eight-hour shifts using a 20-ton dredger, marking his first experience dredging the volatile Ganga after three years on the Ghaghara river.
Dangers of dredging in Ganga
Labourers faced near-death incidents daily while refitting pipes under the river, battling strong currents, debris, and human remains. At one point, a boat sank due to a whirlpool.
Labor shortages
Many labourers initially quit due to the risks, but their experience and skills were crucial, leading to their return. A total of 16,000 labourers, mostly from Prayagraj, worked on the project.
Project completion
The project was completed without loss of life, and the reclaimed area now offers space for two lakh pilgrims to take a holy dip at the Sangam.
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