Kumbh Mela Godavari River Pollution: The Godavari River in Nashik is facing serious pollution problems ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026-28. Untreated sewage and dirty water are reportedly entering the river from 10 different locations along a two-kilometre stretch between Tapovan and Takli village. The situation has raised concerns among environmental activists, religious leaders and local residents.
The traditional flag-hoisting ceremony, known as ‘Dhwajarohan’, was held on October 31, 2026, to mark the formal beginning of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The main bathing events are scheduled for August and September 2027. Nearly Rs 35,000 crore worth of infrastructure projects are planned for the event, including roads, bridges, ghats and other public facilities. But the condition of the river has raised questions about the progress of the cleaning work.
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Bhakticharan Das Maharaj, spokesperson for three Akhadas (groups of ascetics), has criticised the administration over the continued discharge of sewage into the river. He said the authorities don’t seem serious about keeping the Godavari clean despite the arrival of the Kumbh Mela preparations.
He also warned that millions of sadhus, mahants and devotees are expected to visit Nashik and could face health risks due to the polluted water. They have asked the Nashik Municipal Corporation and Kumbh Authority to stop the sewage discharge and protect the religious importance of the river.
“Otherwise, Nashik’s reputation could be tarnished nationwide,” he maintained.
Earlier, ETV Bharat reported that sewage was entering the river near the bridge close to Chopda Lawns on Gangapur Road. The administration had promised to take quick action but the problem reportedly continued.
Environmental activist Nishikant Pagare has also questioned the large spending on Kumbh preparations when the river remains polluted. A recent Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) report also found zero dissolved oxygen at three Godavari locations. The tests recorded high pollution levels at Tapovan, Takli village and Nandur-Manur ghat.
Ganesh Maid, an Executive Engineer with the Nashik Municipal Corporation, said work is going on to install a 1,000 mm-wide pipeline along the right bank of the river.
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He explained that some wastewater is currently entering the Godavari because there’s no other arrangement to carry it away. This could also be responsible for the foam appearing on the river’s surface. He said the pipeline work is expected to be completed within the next three months. After that, the river is expected to remain clean.
The civic body is also working on a larger river-cleaning project. Its plans include four new sewage treatment plants and around 400 km of new sewer lines. These projects aim to stop untreated wastewater from reaching the river before the major Kumbh bathing events.
Satish Shukla, an official from the Purohit Sangh, said devotees visiting Nashik during the Diwali holidays were unhappy because Ramkund had no water.
He explained that ashes and bone fragments left after ‘dashakriya’ (post-funeral) rituals and the immersion of ashes were lying exposed due to the lack of water. This also upset devotees who felt that the administration wasn’t handling the situation properly.
“Due to the lack of water, a large pile of human remains (ashes and bone fragments) left behind following ‘dashakriya’ (post-funeral) rituals and the immersion of ashes is now lying exposed. Devotees have expressed their outrage over what they perceive as the administration’s insensitive handling of the situation,” he said.
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