The Sangam waters where millions of devotees have been taking a holy dip everyday during the ongoing Maha Kumbh has been found to be contaminated with alarming levels of feacal and total coliform, prompting National Green Tribunal (NGT) to Summon UP Government authorities.
A quality assessment report submitted to NGT by central pollution control board(CPCB) on February 3 said the coliform levels- a key indicator of the presence of untreated sewage and humans and animal excreta were found to be 1400 times the standards in the Ganga and 660 times in the Yamuna at some stretches on a particular day, making the river waters unfit for bathing.
According to CPCB standards, for organising outdoor bathing, the total coliform levels must not exceed 500 MPN ( Most Probable Number) per 100 ml. However CPCB found that by January 19, total coliform levels had reached a whopping 700,000 MPN/100ml in the Ganga and 330,000 MPN/100ml in the Yamuna. It analyzed the samples on January 12, 13, 14, 15 and 19 and the total coliform levels never met standards.
CPCB findings not only indicated non -compliance with NGT’S earlier directive to maintain critical water quality standards, but also raised concerns over public health and environmental sustainability, the tribunal’s principle bench, headed by its chairperson, Justice Prakash Srivastava, noted during the hearing on February 17.
The high levels of feacal bacteria in the water pose significant risk of water borne diseases, while excessive organic pollution threatens aquatic life and over all river health.
Pointing out that UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB)had not filed any comprehensive action taken report, as directed by tribunal in December last year, the bench ordered the board’s member secretary and the state authority responsible for maintaining water quality in River Ganga at Prayagraj to appear before it Virtually during the next hearing on February 19.
NGT had in December asked CPCB and UPPCB to monitor and report the water quality regularly while also ensuring that untreated sewage did not flow into the two rivers so that the pilgrims who came for a holi bath did not suffer. It directed The agencies to analyse water samples from the rivers at least twice a week at regular intervals.
In compliance, CPCB submitted its report, which said river water quality did not confirm to the bathing criteria at all the monitored locations on various occasions.
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