Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 23 Feb: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a courtesy call on Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Patil here, today, to deliberate upon preparations for the Mahakumbh scheduled to be held in Haridwar in 2027 and various projects under the Namami Gange programme aimed at conserving and rejuvenating the Ganga.
During the meeting, Dhami sought the expeditious approval of projects amounting to Rs 408.82 crores under the National Mission for Clean Ganga to facilitate systematic, well-coordinated and environmentally sustainable arrangements for the Haridwar Kumbh 2027. The CM emphasised that the religious congregation, which is expected to be held from January to April 2027, would witness the arrival of crores of devotees from across the country and abroad. For this, ensuring the purity, cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of the river Ganga should be a matter of high priority for, both, the State and Central Governments.
Dhami underlined that comprehensive measures relating to sewerage infrastructure, riverfront management, solid waste disposal and water quality monitoring are crucial for the successful conduct of the Mahakumbh. He stated that timely sanction and execution of projects under the Namami Gange framework would significantly strengthen the State’s preparedness for the mega spiritual event, which holds immense religious, cultural and economic significance.
Dhami further requested Central approval for proposals worth Rs 253 crores for flood protection works in vulnerable stretches, enhanced financial allocation under the Jal Jeevan Mission and for the capacity expansion of the Iqbalpur canal system along with the Kankhal and Jagjitpur canals in Haridwar district. He informed the Union Minister that these measures would enable the availability of approximately 665 cusecs of additional water for irrigation of presently unirrigated land, thereby benefiting farmers in the Bhagwanpur and Laksar regions. According to official estimates, nearly 13,000 hectares of agricultural land would receive irrigation facilities under the proposed expansion, while improvements in canal infrastructure would also help mitigate drinking water concerns in adjoining habitations.
On this occasion, the CM also asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with sustained cooperation from the Union Government, the Haridwar Mahakumbh 2027 would be organised in a manner befitting its spiritual legacy, combining divinity with grandeur and administrative excellence. He claimed that the forthcoming event would not only reinforce the objectives of river conservation and environmental sustainability but also showcase Uttarakhand’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of the Ganga while facilitating a safe and memorable experience for crores of pilgrims.
