CPCB reports: Mahakumbh water is no longer fit for bathing at many places; Response sought from officials

During the current Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, fecal coliform levels also increased in other places. The water is not even safe for use for washing in many places. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has submitted a report and shared this data with the National Green Tribunal on Monday.

Actually, according to CPCB, fecal coliform refers to sewage pollution. Its presence must be up to 2,500 units in 100 ml of water.

A bench of NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member A. Senthil Vel, who were deciding on the issue of arresting sewage flow into Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj, commented that the CPCB had produced a report, identifying some of the violative practices.

The report said that the quality of river water with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at the monitored locations was not fit for bathing. During the Maha Kumbh Mela, a large number of people bathe in the Ganga river at Prayagraj, leading to an increase in the amount of faecal coliform.

The bench also said that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has not complied with the tribunal's earlier direction to file a comprehensive action taken report. The tribunal found that the UPPCB had only filed a cover letter along with some water testing reports.

A review of the document annexed with the covering letter dated January 28, 2025, sent by the in-charge of the Central Laboratory, UPPCB also reveals that high levels of faecal coliform have been found at various locations.

The tribunal granted one day's time to the counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh to examine the report and file a reply. The bench directed the member secretary of the UPPCB and the concerned state authority responsible for maintaining the quality of water in the Ganga river at Prayagraj to appear virtually at the next hearing on February 19.