Unprecedented Water Management for the Largest Religious Gathering on Earth

The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj has witnessed one of the most significant temporary water supply projects in history. With an estimated 660 million pilgrims participating in the sacred bathing ritual, ensuring a clean, uninterrupted water supply for drinking, sanitation, and cleaning posed an enormous logistical challenge. However, the administration successfully implemented an advanced water supply network, integrating 233 Water ATMs and SIM-based monitoring technology to deliver RO-purified drinking water to millions of devotees.

233 Water ATMs: 24/7 Access to RO-Purified Drinking Water

To meet the massive demand for safe drinking water, the authorities installed 233 Water ATMs across the vast Kumbh Mela area. These machines operate round the clock, providing pilgrims with pure, RO-filtered water free of cost. Initially, the water was available at a nominal charge of ₹1 per liter, payable via coins or UPI transactions, but it was later made completely free to ensure that every pilgrim, regardless of financial status, had access to clean drinking water.

Each Water ATM is equipped with sensor-based monitoring technology, which instantly detects malfunctions and alerts technical teams for quick resolution. These solar-powered, SIM-based systems are linked to the administration’s centralized monitoring network, ensuring uninterrupted access to fresh drinking water.

Unparalleled Water Distribution at Maha Kumbh 2025

Between January 21 and February 1, 2025, more than 40 lakh pilgrims benefited from these Water ATMs, which collectively dispensed between 12,000 and 15,000 liters of water daily per unit. This large-scale deployment significantly reduced the reliance on plastic water bottles, promoting an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to water consumption.

To ensure seamless operations, on-site operators and technical teams were stationed at each Water ATM to promptly address any mechanical or technical issues. The integrated sensor technology also played a crucial role in detecting faults in real time, helping to maintain a steady supply of safe drinking water for the devotees.

The World’s Largest Temporary Water Supply System

The Maha Kumbh 2025 required an extensive water management system, not just for drinking but also for sanitation, cleaning, and maintaining hygiene across the entire 4,000-hectare Mela area. Given the sheer number of pilgrims and the continuous water demand, authorities undertook the world’s biggest temporary water supply project, ensuring an efficient and sustainable water distribution system.

Water Supply for Sanitation and Hygiene

In addition to drinking water, authorities implemented a massive water supply infrastructure for sanitation and cleaning. This included:

Thousands of temporary toilets, each connected to a well-regulated water supply network.

Frequent cleaning and maintenance to ensure hygiene and prevent waterborne diseases.

Dedicated teams managing the supply of water for cleaning roads, ghats, and public areas.

The administration's multi-layered water management approach helped maintain hygiene standards despite the unprecedented number of visitors.

Sustainability at Maha Kumbh: A Plastic-Free Initiative

In line with India’s sustainable development goals, Maha Kumbh 2025 introduced several eco-friendly initiatives to minimize plastic waste and environmental pollution. One of the key steps was the ban on single-use plastic water bottles within the Mela premises.

Pilgrims were encouraged to carry and refill reusable water bottles at the designated Water ATMs. This initiative significantly reduced plastic waste, making the event more environmentally responsible. The waste management teams also ensured proper collection and recycling of any disposable items left behind by the crowd.

Advanced Technology in Water Distribution

The deployment of SIM-based monitoring technology played a pivotal role in ensuring efficient water distribution throughout the Maha Kumbh 2025. Each Water ATM was integrated into a centralized digital network, allowing real-time data tracking, automated fault detection, and immediate resolution of technical issues.

How the SIM-Based Monitoring System Works

Each Water ATM is embedded with IoT sensors to monitor water levels, flow rate, and filter efficiency.

Live updates are sent to the control center, ensuring proactive maintenance.

Any malfunction triggers instant alerts to the technical teams for rapid troubleshooting.

This smart water management system ensured that pilgrims had uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the overall water supply network.

Ensuring Public Health and Safety

Providing clean, pathogen-free drinking water was a top priority to prevent waterborne diseases during the Kumbh Mela. To achieve this, all Water ATMs were equipped with advanced Reverse Osmosis (RO) purification technology, which effectively removed:

Microbial contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.

Heavy metals and other harmful substances.

Excess dissolved solids, ensuring safe and fresh-tasting water.

Additionally, medical teams were deployed to monitor the health of pilgrims, ensuring that no outbreaks of waterborne illnesses occurred during the event.

Challenges and Success Stories in Water Management

Despite the massive logistical challenges, the Maha Kumbh 2025 water management system exceeded expectations. The authorities tackled issues such as high demand surges, technical failures, and sanitation challenges with swift coordination and proactive planning.

Key Success Factors

1. Preemptive Infrastructure Planning – Authorities anticipated water demand and strategically positioned Water ATMs across the Mela grounds.

2. Real-Time Monitoring – The use of SIM-based technology enabled quick responses to technical malfunctions and supply issues.

3. Eco-Friendly Practices – By promoting refillable water bottles, the Mela significantly reduced plastic waste, setting a new standard for sustainable mass gatherings.

4. Public Health and Hygiene Measures – With strict water quality monitoring, authorities ensured that no major health crises emerged, even with record-breaking crowds.

A Model for Future Mega-Events

The success of the Maha Kumbh 2025 water supply system has set a global benchmark for managing large-scale water distribution at religious, cultural, and sporting events worldwide. The integration of technology, sustainability, and efficient logistics showcases how smart water management can support mass gatherings while prioritizing health, hygiene, and environmental consciousness.

The Maha Kumbh’s clean drinking water initiative stands as a model for future events, proving that advanced technology and sustainable practices can transform large-scale water supply challenges into a success story.