CPCB Reports Poor Water Quality At Maha Kumbh, High Faecal Coliform Levels In Prayagraj Rivers
CPCB Reports Poor Water Quality At Maha Kumbh, High Faecal Coliform Levels In Prayagraj Rivers
NEW DELHI: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported that river water in Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela fails to meet bathing quality standards due to high faecal coliform levels. The findings were presented to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) amid mass gatherings of devotees at the Triveni Sangam.
Since January 13, over 54.31 crore devotees have participated in the holy dip, including 1.35 crore by 8 PM on Monday, according to the Mela administration.
The CPCB’s report, submitted on February 3, revealed that faecal coliform levels exceeded the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml at multiple monitored locations. Faecal coliform indicates sewage contamination, posing health risks to bathers.
The NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, was reviewing a petition seeking to prevent sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
The tribunal criticized the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) for failing to submit a comprehensive action report, noting that their filing only included water test results without details of corrective measures.
The bench instructed the Member Secretary of UPPCB and the relevant state authority to appear virtually at the next hearing on February 19 and respond to the CPCB’s findings.
