The Ganges Canal in Haridwar was closed from the night of the tenth day (Dussehra) for annual maintenance and repair work. This closure period will last for 18 days, after which the canal is scheduled to reopen at midnight on November 7th.
During the canal's downtime, necessary repair work will be carried out, and construction projects related to preparations for the Kumbh Mela in 2027 will be completed. The closure of the Ganges Canal has noticeably affected the condition of the Ganga Ghats in Haridwar, as water has virtually disappeared from places such as Har Ki Pauri.
Pilgrims arriving in Haridwar for bathing are facing disappointment due to the lack of water. The purpose of the canal stoppage is to conduct maintenance and complete urgent construction tasks. The annual closure of the canal is necessary to maintain the system's functionality.
Preparations for the Kumbh Mela in 2027 require active measures, and the relevant construction work is being carried out during the closure of the Ganges Canal. After all planned work is completed, the canal is slated to reopen on the specified date. However, the canal closure negatively impacts the Haridwar banks, where there is insufficient water for bathing in many sections, including Har Ki Pauri.
Currently, a large number of tourists are arriving in Haridwar due to the monsoon season, and pilgrims hoping for the Ganga Snan ritual are experiencing frustration.
Some travelers who came for the Ganga Snan have encountered the absence of water at Har Ki Pauri and are now considering visiting Rishikesh to perform the ritual. Other devotees continue to perform their rites by performing achman and sprinkling Ganges water. It is important to note that the Ganges Canal is the main source of drinking water for Delhi and the state of Uttar Pradesh, so its closure affects not only the Haridwar Ghats. After the canal reopens on November 7th, water will resume flowing in it, allowing the continuation of repair, maintenance, and Kumbh preparations.