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Maha Kumbh 2025: NGT Flags Poor Water Quality At Sangam, UPPCB Report Lacks Key Details on Faecal Coliform
A controversy has erupted over statements on whether or not the quality of water at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj is fit for taking a dip amid Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently slammed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) for submitted old samples of water from before the commencement of Kumbh Mela and claiming that it is not polluted. The UPPCB defended the water quality and claimed that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers met the required standards for bathing, except at one bridge.
This comes after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday stating that the quality of water at Sangam is not up to bathing standards as millions of devotees are arriving at Kumbh mela to perform the 'Amrit Snan.' The report dated February 3 had stated that the faecal coliform levels at the locations where devotees are taking a holy dip were monitored and all of them were above the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml.
This warning was issues earlier this week so as to make people aware of the potential health consequences of being exposed to such high levels of bacteria. However, soon after the release of this report, the Government of Uttar Pradesh denied the facts and maintained the good quality of the rivers water. They also stated that this narrative is a possible propaganda tool aimed at tarnishing the image of the holy festival.
Following UPCB's claim that the water quality of upto bathing standards, the NGT responded by stating that the samples of water submitted were taken on January 12, before the commencement of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The tribunal posed the question, "What sort of report is this? There is no information on faecal coliform in these 250 pages."
Another water sample will be submitted for testing withing a week along with an action-taken report. The NGT also remarked, "Pollution at any point in the river is pollution."
According to news reports, The CPCB quoted in the NGT's February 17 order, which stated,
"River water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing with respect to fecal 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 auspicious bathing days which eventually leads to increase in faecal concentration."