Land Area Reclamation & Expansion In Mahakumbh-2025, India: A Case Study

Abstract

Mahakumbh-2025, held in Prayagraj Sangam, India, is the world's largest religious gathering. Millions of devotees took a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The highest concentration of pilgrims is expected at Sangam Nose, the precise meeting point of the rivers. To ensure adequate space for movement and proper water depth for rituals, geospatial technology was employed to analyze the Ganga’s approach to the Sangam Nose. Satellite imagery using ArcGIS showed that during Ardhkumbh-2019, the Ganga bifurcated into three streams upstream, shifting towards the right bank and widening by 200– 500 meters. This reduces circulation space, impacting the bathing area. To counter this, the authorities developed a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to assess contours and elevation for dredging and material disposal for reclamation and expansion of the area. Utilizing information of dredging and dumping, the three bifurcated streams were merged into a single channel,

improving water depth for dipping and reclaiming 32 hectares of circulation space near Sangam Nose. For Mahakumbh-2025, a total area of 4,000 hectares will be used to accommodate 650 million devotees, as per the state government of Uttar Pradesh, India. This strategic intervention not only enhances space for pilgrims but also serves as a model for flow channelization projects worldwide.