Less than a month after declaring the water quality at Sangam “unfit for bathing,” the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has presented a fresh report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This report, based on statistical analysis, asserts that the water quality at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was indeed “fit for bathing.” This conclusion marks a stark contrast to the CPCB’s earlier assessment, which had raised concerns over high levels of faecal coliform contamination in the river water.
According to the latest report, water quality tests were conducted at eight different locations in the Sangam area, where a massive number of devotees participated in the ritualistic bathing during the Maha Kumbh. The findings revealed that the median values of critical water quality parameters—pH, dissolved oxygen levels, biochemical oxygen demand, and faecal coliform—remained within permissible limits throughout the event. The report suggests that despite the large influx of pilgrims, water quality was maintained within acceptable standards.
This recent conclusion appears to contradict the CPCB’s earlier findings, which had deemed the water unsuitable for bathing due to excessive faecal coliform levels. Previously, the CPCB’s data, which was publicly available on its website, indicated that faecal coliform concentrations had exceeded both the “desired” and “maximum permissible” limits on multiple occasions during the Maha Kumbh.
In its revised assessment, the CPCB has explained that it evaluated the “median value” of faecal coliform over the period from January 12 to February 22, which stood at 1,700 MPN/100 ml. This figure is within the maximum permissible limit of 2,500 MPN/100 ml. However, it is important to note that there were significant fluctuations in water quality at different times. For instance, on February 4, faecal coliform levels spiked dramatically, reaching 11,000 MPN/100 ml in the Ganga and 7,900 MPN/100 ml at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. These numbers were well above the prescribed safety limits.
The CPCB, in its report, acknowledged this variability, stating: “There is significant fluctuation in the values of pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and faecal coliform for samples taken from the same location on different dates. These values reflect the water quality at the specific time and place of sampling and may not necessarily represent the overall characteristics of the river.” The board further clarified that numerous factors influence these water quality parameters, including the rate of water flow, river currents, and broader environmental conditions.
The NGT, in its order dated February 17, took note of these inconsistencies. It observed: “River water quality did not conform to primary water quality standards for bathing concerning faecal coliform at all monitored locations on various occasions. The large number of people bathing in the river at Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh, especially on auspicious bathing days, led to an increase in faecal concentration.” The tribunal’s statement emphasized that despite fluctuations in water quality, the sheer volume of bathers contributed significantly to faecal contamination, highlighting a pressing need for better management of water sanitation during large-scale religious gatherings.
Following the observations made by the NGT, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the issue on February 19. He dismissed concerns regarding water contamination and went a step further by claiming that the river water at Sangam was not only safe for bathing but also pure enough for drinking. His statement sparked discussions about the differing assessments of water quality and the potential implications of these findings on public health and river conservation efforts.
The contrasting reports from the CPCB and the observations from the NGT highlight the complexity of assessing water quality in a dynamic river system, especially during a high-traffic religious event such as the Maha Kumbh. The debate underscores the need for consistent water monitoring, better pollution control measures, and stricter adherence to environmental standards to ensure the health and safety of millions of devotees participating in such mass gatherings.