It is a very essential subject but a most people feel repulsive about. It is our own solid waste/feces and liquid refuse/urine, especially in a country like India with a high population density. I have been working on water and sanitation for over 5 years now. But I have  never had such close quarter encounter with sanitation, its management and issues like I did at Kumbh Mela.

Think about 30 million people visiting a place as small as 58.3 Km2 on few auspicious days. And a floating population of 2-3 million people on a daily basis. This for a period of not few days but 2 months. In such situation to ensure proper sanitation and maintaining the environment becomes very critical for the health of pilgrims and smooth running of the Mela. During my time at the Mela ( 7 days ), I rode through the all the sectors looking at varied facilities…