UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete (RMC) company, in partnership with Prayagraj Nagar Nigam, has launched a waste management initiative at the Maha Kumbh 2025 being held at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, titled Mahakumbh ka Mahasankalp, aims to address the challenge of plastic waste at the Maha Kumbh, considered to be the world’s largest spiritual gathering.
Duration and Objective of the Initiative
Mahakumbh ka Mahasankalp initiative commenced on January 22nd, 2025, and will run up to February 28th, 2025. The initiative aims to collect plastic waste and process it for use as an alternative fuel for cement manufacturing at Dalla Cement Works, UltraTech’s integrated manufacturing unit located in Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh.
Deployment of Sanitation Workers and Waste Collection Bins
UltraTech has deployed sanitation workers and waste plastic collection bins across high-footfall locations in Prayagraj, such as Triveni Sangam and Maha Kumbh’s designated sectors. Apart from designated bins, the sanitation workers are also collecting plastic litter, while a dedicated cleaning van transports the waste to a segregation facility.
Community Engagement and Awareness
The initiative also emphasizes community engagement and awareness. An LED activation van is traveling across Prayagraj, educating citizens on plastic segregation and encouraging household participation in the campaign.
Multi-Pronged Waste Collection and Processing Strategy
With a multi-pronged waste collection strategy, the initiative focuses on plastic waste collection, segregation, and processing, ensuring safe disposal. This approach reduces reliance on conventional fossil fuels for cement manufacturing while also minimizing the societal burden of landfill waste and preventing plastic waste from leaching into soil and water bodies.
Collaboration with Prayagraj Nagar Nigam
In addition to processing waste collected through the Mahakumbh ka Mahasankalp initiative, UltraTech will also process waste collected independently by Prayagraj Nagar Nigam from Maha Kumbh 2025. So far, 400 metric tons of plastic waste collected at the Maha Kumbh has been processed as alternative fuel at UltraTech’s unit, Dalla Cement Works.
UltraTech’s Ongoing Municipal Waste Processing Initiatives
UltraTech already provides ongoing support to the municipal corporations of Prayagraj and Lucknow for co-processing segregated municipal plastic waste at Dalla Cement Works. This sustainable plastic waste disposal initiative at Maha Kumbh is in addition to the company’s continuous efforts to assist municipalities in safe municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal.
UltraTech’s Nationwide Support for Waste Management
UltraTech supports more than 80 municipal corporations across India to help them dispose of incinerable non-biodegradable waste in a safe and sustainable manner through co-processing, reducing landfill waste. In FY24 alone, UltraTech co-processed 5.43 lakh tonnes of MSW as alternative fuel in its kiln operations and captive power plants.
(India CSR)
