NEW DELHI: Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) are set to appear before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) flagged alarming levels of faecal bacteria in the river near Prayagraj’s Sangam. For the past month, lakhs of devotees have been taking a holy dip in the river daily.
In a report filed before an NGT bench on February 3, the CPCB highlighted that water quality at multiple sites failed to meet prescribed bathing standards.
Faecal coliform, a key indicator of sewage contamination, enters water through human or livestock excreta and helps monitor the presence of disease-causing bacteria. The permissible limit for faecal coliform in bathing water is 2,500 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 ml, but test results revealed significantly higher levels.
According to the CPCB report, on January 13, faecal coliform levels were recorded at 33,000 MPN at Deeha Ghat and 11,000 MPN at Old Naini Bridge. On January 14, levels at Sangam, Deeha Ghat, and Old Naini Bridge were 11,000, 17,000 and 33,000 MPN, respectively. On January 20, the figures were 49,000 MPN at Sangam, 7,800 MPN at Deeha Ghat, and 23,000 MPN at Old Naini Bridge.
Taking cognisance of the issue, an NGT Bench led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, expressed concern over apparent lapses in sewage management and called for urgent corrective measures.
The Bench also noted that the UPPCB had failed to comply with its earlier directive to submit a comprehensive action-taken report.
“The river water quality did not meet primary bathing standards concerning faecal coliform at all monitored locations on various occasions. A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh, particularly on auspicious bathing days, leading to increased faecal contamination,” the report stated.
As per the NGT order, the counsel for the Uttar Pradesh Government sought an additional day to examine the report and file a response.
“The Member Secretary, UPPCB, and the state authority responsible for maintaining water quality in the Ganga at Prayagraj are directed to appear virtually at the next hearing, scheduled for February 19,” the tribunal stated.