GUWAHATI: The waters of the Sangam, where millions of devotees have been taking ritualistic dips during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, have been found to contain dangerously high levels of faecal and total coliform bacteria.
This alarming revelation has prompted the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to summon Uttar Pradesh government officials.
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A report presented to the NGT by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on February 3 highlighted severe contamination, with coliform levels—an indicator of untreated sewage and human or animal waste—exceeding permissible limits by staggering margins. On a particular day, the Ganga recorded coliform levels 1,400 times above the prescribed standard, while the Yamuna exceeded the limit by 660 times, rendering the waters unsafe for bathing.
As per CPCB regulations, total coliform levels for designated bathing areas should not exceed 500 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100ml. However, test results from January 19 showed levels soaring to 700,000 MPN/100ml in the Ganga and 330,000 MPN/100ml in the Yamuna. Water samples collected on January 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19 consistently failed to meet the required standards.
The findings not only indicate a failure to comply with NGT’s previous orders to maintain essential water quality standards but also raise serious concerns regarding public health and environmental sustainability, noted the tribunal's principal bench, led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, during a hearing on February 17.
The presence of such high levels of faecal bacteria poses a significant threat of waterborne diseases, while excessive organic pollution endangers aquatic life and overall river health.
Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has yet to submit a comprehensive report detailing corrective measures, despite being instructed by the tribunal in December last year.
In light of this, the NGT has now directed UPPCB’s member secretary and the state authority responsible for maintaining water quality in the Ganga at Prayagraj to attend the next hearing virtually on February 19.
Previously, in December, the NGT had ordered both CPCB and
UPPCB to conduct regular monitoring and prevent untreated sewage from entering the rivers to ensure pilgrims’ safety. The agencies were instructed to test water samples at least twice a week. In its compliance report, CPCB confirmed that the river water at all monitored sites failed to meet bathing standards on multiple occasions.
