The government has asserted in the center that the Ganga water quality at Triveni Sangam of Prayagraj was suitable for bathing during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh. Referring to a fresh report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the government put up this information in Parliament on Monday (March 11).
Triveni Sangam is the holy confluence where the Ganga and the Yamuna and mythological Saraswati rivers join. The Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious congregation, draws millions of pilgrims who take ritualistic dips in the holy waters.
Government Allots Rs 7,421 Crore for Cleaning Ganga
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav told Parliament that the government gave Rs 7,421 crore to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) during three financial years—2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 (upto March 9). The money is to make the river cleaner and its water safe for religious and public consumption.
Replying to queries by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria and Congress MP K Sudhakaran, Yadav pointed to the CPCB report that said important water quality parameters—pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and faecal coliform (FC)—were within bathing water permissible limits at all the locations that were monitored.
DO quantifies oxygen in water, BOD determines the oxygen required to decompose organic material, and FC represents sewage pollution. These parameters are critical in analyzing water quality and safety.
Comparative Reports: CPCB’s Updated Findings
Earlier, a February 3 CPCB report, which was presented to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), had stated that water quality at certain points in Prayagraj was not up to primary bathing standards because of excessive faecal coliform content.
But in a follow-up report on February 28, the CPCB made it clear that statistical evaluation proved the water was suitable for bathing. The board said that variability in data from samples collected on different dates and from different locations within the same area needed a wider statistical examination. The report made it clear that individual sample results could not accurately represent the overall quality of river water.
NGT Orders Continuous Monitoring of Water Quality
In the matter of “Kamlesh Singh vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others,” the NGT ordered ongoing monitoring of Maha Kumbh water quality of Ganga and Yamuna to verify compliance with key water quality parameters. The CPCB embarked on a detailed monitoring regimen as a result of this directive.
Water quality tests were also done at seven points twice weekly, from Shringverpur Ghat (upstream of Prayagraj) to Deehaghat (downstream). Checks were also conducted at Sangam nose, the precise location where the Ganga and Yamuna confluence. Testing was started on January 12 and carried on through prime bathing days of the Maha Kumbh.
Steps Taken to Provide Clean Water in Ganga
Several wastewater treatment options were adopted by the Uttar Pradesh government to provide water quality.
- Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Ten STPs were installed for Maha Kumbh to treat wastewater before discharge into the river.
- Geosynthetic Dewatering Tubes (Geo-Tubes): Seven geo-tubes were employed to filter water from 21 untreated drains as a temporary measure for wastewater treatment.
- Prefabricated STPs: Three temporary STPs with a capacity of 500 kilolitres per day (KLD) each were installed in the mela area.
- Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants: Three sludge treatment plants of a capacity of 200 KLD were provided.
- Advanced Oxidation Technology: UP Jal Nigam utilized advanced oxidation methods for the treatment of wastewater, thereby not allowing untreated water to get into the Ganga.
Further, authorities ensured there were adequate toilets and urinals to meet the huge flow of pilgrims. Strategically positioned dustbins with liner bags proved effective in managing waste.
Continuous Improvement in Water Monitoring
In order to improve the accuracy of water quality monitoring, the CPCB increased its monitoring on February 21. The number of monitoring sites was raised from seven to ten, and water quality tests were carried out twice a day.
The government’s proactive initiatives and enhanced monitoring reflect its zeal to preserve the sanctity and security of the Ganga at the time of major religious festivals. The Maha Kumbh’s stature requires adherence to environmental norms at all costs, and authorities continue to streamline their strategy for providing clean and safe water to millions of pilgrims.