Surge in demand of packed Triveni water

Prayagraj: The sacred waters of Triveni Sangam, packed by local women's self-help groups (SHGs), are witnessing a sharp rise in demand across the country and even abroad. After successful deliveries to Noida, Nagpur, and even Germany following the Maha Kumbh, a fresh and substantial order of 25,000 bottles has now been placed by an organisation from Tamil Nadu.

This initiative began under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). In 2022, a plant was set up in Devrakh (Chaka Block) by a cluster-level committee to package the holy Triveni water. However, the plant could not deliver the expected results and was eventually shut down. On July 28, 2024, the project was handed over to the Nari Shakti Mahila Prerna cluster committee of Jasra block, where women from affiliated SHGs revived and now successfully manage the operations. These women are currently packaging the sacred water from Sangam in various bottle sizes, selling it at prices ranging from Rs40 to Rs80 per litre. According to Namita, Block Mission Manager of Jasra, the demand began rising with the onset of the Maha Kumbh.

However, heavy crowds and disrupted traffic flow delayed deliveries during the festival. Supplies resumed post-Maha Kumbh and have since expanded to cities like Nagpur and Noida, and even to international destinations like Germany.

As per data provided by NRLM officials, 50,000 bottles have already been dispatched to Nagpur, 500 litres to Noida (including procurement by NRLM itself), and an additional 300 litres to other locations. Notably, 1,000 bottles of 100 ml each were shipped to Germany, marking a significant achievement for the initiative.

Deputy Commissioner, NRLM, Rajeev Kumar Singh confirmed the developments and emphasised that the order from Tamil Nadu is currently in process and will be fulfilled soon. This growing demand not only reflects the spiritual value of the holy Triveni water but also highlights the success of rural women in leading sustainable livelihood projects and contributing to cultural outreach through entrepreneurship, said Singh.