Maha Kumbh 2025: Engineering Marvel of 30 Pontoon Bridges Connecting Millions
- Ishika Meena
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, is not just a spiritual phenomenon but also an engineering marvel. Among its standout features in 2025 is the construction of 30 pontoon bridges that serve as vital links between the Sangam and the 4,000-hectare Akhada areas, ensuring the smooth movement of millions of pilgrims, sadhus, and vehicles. This monumental feat showcases a blend of tradition and modern engineering ingenuity.
The Engineering Behind the Floating Bridges
Inspired by a 2,500-year-old Persian technique, these temporary floating bridges have revolutionized movement across the Maha Kumbh Mela grounds. More than 1,000 workers labored tirelessly, working over 10 hours a day for a year to construct these bridges using 2,213 black floating iron capsules—each weighing five tonnes. The bridges, designed to withstand up to five tonnes of weight, facilitate seamless mobility while ensuring safety for the millions who walk across them daily.
According to Mahakumbh Nagar Additional District Magistrate, Vivek Chaturvedi, the construction of these bridges was integral to the event’s planning. "These bridges offer a low-maintenance yet high-efficiency solution for managing vast crowds. We have implemented constant CCTV surveillance through the Integrated Command and Control Centre to ensure smooth movement and safety," he said.
How the Pontoon Bridges Were Built
The process of constructing these floating bridges is a testament to the expertise of engineers and workers. The hollow pontoons, made from sturdy iron sheets, were lowered into the river with cranes. Girder beams were then carefully placed and secured with nuts and bolts. To stabilize the structure, thick wooden planks, sandy soil, and iron angles were added. Checker plates were laid on the surface to ensure the bridges could handle large crowds without structural failures.
Engineer Alok Kumar, who was entrusted with the task of building these bridges, explained, "Each pontoon, despite weighing five tonnes, stays afloat due to Archimedes' principle, where the buoyant force exerted by displaced water keeps the structure stable. However, crowd control is critical to ensure safety."
A Cost-Effective and Reusable Solution
The Uttar Pradesh government allocated Rs 17.31 crore for the construction of the 30 pontoon bridges. Among them, the bridge from Shri Nagvasuki Temple to Jhusi was the most expensive at Rs 1.13 crore, while others, such as the Gangeshwar and Bharadwaj bridges, ranged between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 89 lakh.
Once the Maha Kumbh concludes, these bridges will be dismantled and stored for future use. Some will be repurposed as temporary bridges in other districts, ensuring that the investment in this engineering marvel continues to serve communities beyond the event.
A Symbol of Innovation and Tradition
The construction of 30 pontoon bridges at Maha Kumbh 2025 is a testament to India’s ability to blend ancient wisdom with modern engineering. These bridges not only ensure the smooth and safe movement of devotees but also exemplify the nation’s commitment to sustainable and efficient infrastructure solutions for mega-events.
As millions gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, these floating marvels stand as silent witnesses to a seamless fusion of faith, history, and technology.
The Maha Kumbh’s pontoon bridges not only serve as an infrastructural backbone for the event but also highlight India’s expertise in temporary yet highly efficient engineering solutions. A true marvel of design, innovation, and heritage!
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