Kumbh's contaminated waters: Wake-up call for river conservation

A report reveals Ganga water at Triveni Sangam is unsafe for bathing due to high BOD levels during Maha Kumbh, raising public health concerns.

The NGT has also criticizedk Debate on Water Quality

Conflicting data emerges as officials address concerns over river's fitness for bathing. Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has ignited a debate regarding the water quality of the Ganga River at Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. The report, based on monitoring conducted in January 2025, highlights elevated levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and fecal coliform, particularly during the peak of the Maha Kumbh Mela. BOD, a critical parameter for assessing water quality, indicates the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic material in the water. A higher BOD level suggests a greater organic content and, consequently, poorer water quality.

BOD Levels Exceeding Standards

CPCB data reveals high BOD levels at Sangam during Maha Kumbh. According to CPCB data, the BOD level at Sangam was 3.94 milligrams per liter on January 13, the commencement day of the Maha Kumbh. This figure exceeds the prescribed limit of 3 milligrams per liter for safe bathing. On February 3, the CPCB submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), stating that the river water quality did not meet bathing standards at most locations in Prayagraj during monitoring on January 12-13.

Efforts to Improve Water Quality

Authorities release water to improve Ganga's bathing standards. Despite the concerning findings, the CPCB report indicated a positive trend, noting that organic pollution levels began to decrease due to freshwater intrusion upstream after January 13, 2025. Except for the Lord Curzon Bridge on the Ganga on January 19, 2025, the river's water quality met bathing criteria concerning BOD. The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly released 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water into the Ganga to ensure it meets bathing standards.

NGT Intervention and Concerns

NGT addresses water quality issues, demands action from authorities. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance of the matter, directing the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to address the issue of untreated sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Prayagraj. The NGT has also criticized the UPPCB for failing to submit a comprehensive report and questioned the lack of action taken to address pollution before the start of the fair.