Amid claims by Central government pollution body that the present condition of Ganga water in ensuing Maha Kumbh may contain high levels of faecal bacteria, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday countered by assuring the Sangam water in Prayagraj if safe for bathing and other rituals.
A sort of controversy erupted over the claims by Central government pollution body which reported the Ganga water at Triveni Sangam, where lakhs of people are taking a holy dip every day during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, is currently unsafe for bathing.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data informed the National Green Tribunal that Sangam water at Maha Kumbh exceeds the prescribed limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD), a key parameter to determine water quality. BOD refers to the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a water body. A higher BOD level indicates more organic content in the water. River water is considered fit for bathing if the BOD level is less than 3 milligrams per litre.
In a report submitted to the NGT the CPCB said the river water quality did not meet bathing standards during monitoring on January 12-13 at most locations in Prayagraj. According to Uttar Pradesh government officials, 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water is being released into the Ganga to ensure it meets bathing standards. Mahakumbh Nagar is the world’s largest temporary city, accommodating 50 lakh to 1 crore devotees at any given time.
These pilgrims generate at least 16 million litres of faecal waste and 240 million litres of greywater daily from activities like cooking, washing, and bathing.
Yogi during the Budgest Session in UP assembly countered and said water at the Sangam is fit for both bathing and ritual drinking (aachman) as confirmed by some recent reports, He informed the Uttar Pradesh Control Board and the CPCB are continuously monitoring the water quality at the Sangam.
He also trained his guns at Opposition Samajwadi Party, saying the condition of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers was so poor while it was in power that the Prime Minister of Mauritius refused to take a dip during the 2013 Kumbh.
“This time, 81 drains have been tapped, treating 261 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage. In January and February, fecal coliform levels at the Sangam nose were found to be within the acceptable range, below 2,500 MPN per 100 ml, according to the UP Pollution (Control) Board,” he said, according to an official statement.
“The Central Pollution (Control) Board has also confirmed this in its report. The UP and Central Pollution Control Boards are continuously monitoring water quality, and recent reports confirm that the water at the Sangam is now fit for both bathing and ritual use,” Adityanath told the state Assembly.
