Devotees gather to take a dip at the Sangam to mark Maghi Purnima at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
| Photo Credit: REUTERS
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the water at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was fit for bathing after taking the “median” value of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) at the confluence into consideration.
This is in contrast to the CPCB’s statement last month, which deemed the water quality unfit due to high levels of faecal coliform.
Data on the CPCB website, however, show that faecal coliform levels exceeded the “desired” and “maximum permissible” levels on multiple days during the Maha Kumbh.
In a report dated February 28 and uploaded on the NGT’s website on March 7, the CPCB stated that statistical analysis revealed median values of pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and faecal coliform at various ghats were “within the criteria/permissible limits for bathing water”.
According to the report, the CPCB considered the “median value” of 1700 MPN/100 ml for faecal coliform from January 12 to February 22, which is below the maximum permissible level of 2500 MPN/100 ml, but exceeds the desired level of 500 MPN/100 ml.
Data on the CPCB website show that the faecal coliform levels at the Sangam were 4.4 times (11000 MPN/100 ml) and 19.6 times (49,000 MPN/100 ml) the “maximum permissible” level on January 14 and 20 respectively.
The data show that the faecal coliform level exceeded the desirable and maximum permissible limits on numerous days during the Maha Kumbh.
On how the water quality data collected from a particular point varies even during a day, the February 28 report stated, “As a result, these values reflect water quality parameters at the exact time and place from where these water samples were collected and may not fully represent the overall characteristics of the river, therefore, not necessarily reflecting the overall river water quality throughout the river stretch.”
Earlier, an NGT order dated February 17 quoted the CPCB report, which was submitted to the green court on February 3. It stated: “River water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing with reference to Faecal Coliform [FC] at all the monitored locations on various occasions. Huge number of people taking bath at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela in river, including on auspicious bathing days, eventually led to increase in faecal concentration.”
“On the perusal of the documents enclosed along with the covering letter dated January 28, 2025 sent by the in-charge of Central Laboratory, UPPCB [Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board], it is reflected that the high level of faecal and total coliform has been found in various locations,” the order read.
As the court’s observations made headlines and under attack from Opposition parties, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on February 19 claimed that the water was fit for drinking.
“Issues have been raised about the quality of the water there (Sangam). Water there is released after purification… It signifies that the Sangam water is suitable not just for bathing but also for aachman [a holy dip in which devotees also sip the water],” Mr. Adityanath had said in the Assembly on February 19.
Published – March 08, 2025 01:43 am IST
