Prayagraj: An aerial view of devotees taking a holy dip at Sangam amid the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released data on the assessment of water quality at five different locations in and around the confluence (Sangam) in Prayagraj, and two further away from Prayagraj on Ganga. High levels of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) were found in river water in which people took holy dip during the Maha Kumbh, according to a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the CPCB. Over 55 crore people have visited the Maha Kumbh.
In the 24 days between January 12 and February 4, data was released for 13 of those days, as shown in the graphics below. The major bathing dates that fall in this period are January 13 (Paush Purnima), January 14 (Makar Sankrati), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) and February 3 (Basant Panchnami). Data shows that the water was unfit for outdoor bathing on and around them in some of the areas where measurements were taken. However, a large number of devotees took the holy dip almost every day. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed these findings as ‘baseless allegations’ stating that, “When we make baseless allegations or spread fake videos against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India, or the Maha Kumbh, it is like playing with the faith of these 56 crore people”.
Measurements shown in the subsequent graphics are that of the fecal coliform levels – measured in most portable number per 100 millilitres (MPN/100 mL) – and that of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Another CPCB report titled ‘Water Quality Assessment of Water Bodies’ mentions that for outdoor bathing, the maximum permissible limit of fecal coliform should be 2500 MPN/100mL and BOD should be 3 mg/L.
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Other measurements that are taken into consideration while assessing water quality are pH levels and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in water. Data from CPCB’s assessment shows that on each of the 13 days of measurement, the pH and DO levels were within the desirable limits, which are between 6.5 and 8.5 for pH levels, and over 5 (mg/L) for DO levels.
Sangam
Data released by the CPCB shows that on January 13, on the occasion of Paush Purnima, the BOD levels exceeded the maximum permissible limits and on Makar Sankrati (January 14), the fecal coliform levels were over 4 times (11,000 MPN/100mL) the permissible limits. On January 20, the measurement was 49,000 MPN/100mL, over 19 times the permissible limit.
Areas near and leading up to the Sangam
Measurements taken before and near the Sangam, on the Ganga and the Yamuna, also paint a similar picture.
Near Nagvasuki Mandir (before Shastri Bridge on the river Ganga)
Fecal coliform levels near Nagvasuki Mandir on the Ganga were unfit for bathing on 5 of the 13 days when measurements were taken. On January 15 and January 30, these levels were found to be 13,000 (over 5 times the permissible limit) and on February 4 the measurements revealed fecal coliform levels of 11,000 which is over 4 times the permissible limit.
Near Lord Curzon bridge, on Ganga
On Lord Curzon bridge, which is further upstream on the Ganga, approximately 11 kilometers from the Sangam ghat, measurements reveal that 4 out of the 13 days were unfit for bathing. On January 30, a day after Mauni Amavasya, the BOD levels were 4.2, which is 33% more than the permissible limit of 3, as shown below.
On river Yamuna, before Sangam
Water quality was unfit for bathing on 9 of the 13 days taken into account due to high fecal coliform levels, BOD, or both. On January 14 (Makar Sankrati), fecal coliform levels were 33,000 (13 times over the permissible limit).
Near Old Naini Bridge, on Yamuna
Measurements taken around Old Naini bridge on the Yamuna show a similar pattern where the river water was unfit for bathing on 9 of the 13 days taken into account, as shown below.
Places near Prayagraj
Shringverpur Ghat which is further upstream on Ganga, was contaminated beyond permissible limits on 5 of the 13 days.
Deeha Ghat on Ganga, after Sangam
After the Sangam, which is, further downstream on the Ganga, measurements around Deeha Ghat show that the water quality was deteriorated and unsuitable on 10 of 13 days, where either the fecal coliform levels, the BOD, or both, were above the permissible limits.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which started on January 13, 2025, will conclude on February 26, on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
Published – February 22, 2025 06:20 pm IST