High fecal bacteria levels detected in Ganga during Maha Kumbh: Pollution board

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was informed on Feb 16 that water quality in parts of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela is currently underway, is not meeting the required standards for safe bathing due to high levels of fecal coliform.

A report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) highlighted that several monitoring locations showed excessive contamination, exceeding the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml. Fecal coliform is a key indicator of sewage pollution and can pose serious health risks.

"A large number of people bathe in the river during the Maha Kumbh Mela, particularly on auspicious days, which eventually leads to an increase in fecal concentration," the report stated.

The NGT bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, was reviewing measures to prevent sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna. The tribunal noted that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had failed to comply with its earlier directive to submit a comprehensive action-taken report. Instead, the board had only provided a cover letter along with water test reports.

The tribunal found that despite previous warnings, water samples from multiple locations showed persistently high levels of fecal and total coliform bacteria. It granted the Uttar Pradesh government a day to examine the CPCB's findings and file a response.

The NGT has now directed the Member Secretary of UPPCB and other responsible state authorities to appear virtually for the next hearing on Feb 19 to address concerns over water contamination in the holy rivers.