Fecal levels in Maha Kumbh river water concerning, not fit for bathing: Pollution Board to NGT

Amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that a concerning level of fecal coliform, an indicator of sewage contamination, was found in the river water in which Kumbh Mela pilgrims bathe..The report filed by the CPCB before the NGT's Principal Bench revealed that the fecal coliform levels detected make the river water unsuitable for bathing. With more pilgrims thronging to the religious festival and taking dips in the river, the fecal concentration in the water will only rise, the report stated. "River water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing w.r.t. 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 fecal concentration," the report stated. .An order passed by a Bench of Chairperson, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member Dr. A Senthil Vel further recorded that the CPCB's report states that the biochemical oxygen demand, which also indicates river water quality, also did not conform to the standards required for bathing during tests conducted in January. "With respect to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), river water quality was not conforming with the bathing criteria during monitoring carried out on 12-13 January, 2025 at most of the locations; however after that, organic pollution (in terms of BOD) started to decrease due to freshwater intrusion at upstream locations. After 13th January 2025, river water quality conforming the bathing criteria w.r.t. BOD except Lord Curzon bridge on river Ganga on 19th January, 2025," the CPCB report stated. .The Kumbh Mela is held at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Prayagraj.The CPCB submitted its report on a case raising grievances regarding the quality of the waters in both rivers. The case also deals with allegations that untreated sewage was being discharged through drains into the two rivers during the Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela. The NGT had previously directed the CPCB and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UP PCB) to increase the number of monitoring points and testing frequency during the Maha Kumbh. The Boards were also directed to file reports of their findings before the NGT.While the CPCB complied with this order, the NGT noted that the UP PCB had not filed any action taken report as directed. However, certain water test reports filed by the Central Laboratory of the UP PCB stated that high levels of fecal and total coliform were found in various locations. On February 17, the NGT allowed a request by the counsel for the State of UP for a day's time to examine the report and file a response.It also directed the Member Secretary, UP PCB and the concerned State Authority responsible for maintaining the water quality in Ganga at Prayagraj, to appear virtually during the next hearing which is scheduled for February 19. .[Read Order]