Key Points:
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) confirms Ganga water quality at Prayagraj suitable for bathing during Maha Kumbh.
- Government allocated ₹7,421 crore to National Clean Ganga Mission for 2022-25.
- Regular monitoring conducted at multiple locations along Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
- Advanced oxidation technologies used by Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam to treat wastewater.
New Delhi: The Central Government has officially declared the water of the Ganga river at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj safe and suitable for bathing during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh festival. This announcement was made in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, citing a detailed report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Responding to queries raised by Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadoria and Congress MP K Sudhakaran, Minister Yadav explained that the CPCB conducted extensive water quality monitoring at various points along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. According to the latest CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 28, statistical analysis confirmed that key water quality parameters—including pH levels, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and fecal coliform (FC) were within acceptable limits for bathing.
Earlier, on February 3, CPCB had reported concerns about elevated fecal coliform levels at several locations in Prayagraj during initial stages of monitoring. Fecal coliform is an indicator of sewage contamination, while dissolved oxygen (DO) indicates oxygen availability in water, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measures the amount of oxygen required to break down organic matter. These parameters are crucial indicators of overall river health.
Addressing the variations observed in initial data, the CPCB clarified that statistical analysis was essential due to fluctuations in test results from samples collected at different times and locations. The comprehensive analysis eventually concluded that overall water quality standards were indeed met throughout the duration of Maha Kumbh.
The CPCB’s rigorous testing began on January 12, 2025, covering five monitoring points along the Ganga and two along the Yamuna, including key sites like Sangam Nose the confluence point of both rivers. Following instructions from the NGT dated December 23, 2024, monitoring frequency was increased to twice weekly initially and later intensified to twice daily from February 21 onwards at ten different locations.
Moreover, wastewater management efforts were significantly enhanced during this period. The Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam employed advanced oxidation technologies to effectively treat wastewater, preventing untreated discharge into the river systems. Additionally, data from ten sewage treatment plants (STPs) and seven geosynthetic dewatering tubes (geo-tubes) installed around Prayagraj were also included in CPCB’s monitoring reports.
Highlighting its commitment towards cleaning India’s holiest river, the central government allocated ₹7,421 crore to the National Clean Ganga Mission for three consecutive financial years 2022-23, 2023-24, and up to March 9 of 2024-25. This substantial funding aims to support ongoing efforts to maintain and improve water quality standards across various stretches of the Ganga river basin.
