Around 45 crore visitors have already attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Such a gathering increases the risk of disease transmission through water contamination.
Water Quality Findings by CPCB:
Faecal coliform levels on Makar Sankranti (Jan 14) were 11,000 units at Sangam Ghat, over 4 times the permissible limit (2,500 units).
Yamuna at Old Naini Bridge Ghat had 33,000 units, an even higher contamination level.
Water quality parameters like biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) fluctuated significantly.
CPCB Report to National Green Tribunal (Feb 3, 2025):
Water quality on Jan 12-13 was not fit for bathing or drinking.
Noted reduction in organic pollution due to freshwater intrusion upstream.
Acknowledged that bathing in large numbers during the festival led to inevitable spikes in faecal contamination.
Long-Term Water Pollution Trends:
CPCB's routine monitoring shows that Ganga at Prayagraj is generally not fit for consumption.
Bathing suitability depends on water flow and dilution.
Political Response & Need for Action:
UP CM Yogi Adityanath dismissed CPCB's findings as “baseless,” which is misleading.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) requires sustained efforts, not denialism.
The Kumbh Mela highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to Ganga pollution.
Science and spirituality must go hand in hand—undermining scientific findings is not in public interest.
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