Maha Kumbh Mela 2025| Photo: PTI Maha Kumbh Mela 2025| Photo: PTI

The Central Pollution Control Board has submitted a new report to the National Green Tribunal on the water quality during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and they said as per statistical analysis the quality was fit for bathing.30win

This comes as a contradiction to the previous data released by them in February where the CPCB report had said that various locations in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh were not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to the level of faecal coliform.

This had also led to opposition parties across the country slam the ruling Yogi Adityanath government who later addressed the state assembly and claimed that the water at the Sangam is fit for both bathing and ritual drinking (aachman).

What Does CPCB's Latest Data On Water Quality Say?

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its latest report said the statistical analysis was necessitated because of "variability of data" in the samples collected from the same locations across different dates and on different locations on the same day, because of which these did not reflect the "overall river water quality throughout the river stretch".

The report is dated February 28 and was uploaded on the tribunal's website on March 7. It said the board had conducted water monitoring twice a week from January 12 onwards, including on auspicious bathing days, at five locations on Ganga river and two locations on Yamuna river.

"There is a significant variability in the values on various parameters, viz pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and fecal coliform count (FC) for the samples taken from the same location on different dates. The values of the afore-mentioned parameters also vary at different locations for the samples collected on the same day," the report said.

The DO or the amount of oxygen in water, BOD, which measures the amount of oxygen needed to break down organic matter in water, and FC, a marker of sewage contamination, are key indicators of water quality.

The report said that an expert committee examined the issue of "variability in data" and said that "the data represents a snapshot of water quality at a specific location and time and may vary significantly depending upon factors such as upstream anthropogenic activities (human actions), rate of flow, depth of sampling, time of sampling, river current and mixing of currents, sampling location and such other multiple factors".

On the other hand, the runners up of CPL 2023, Trinbago Knight Riders, have experienced a rollercoster run, recently winning against Barbados Royals by 30 runs but losing the previous one to St Lucia Kings by 80 runs. They are currently placed third in the points table with 12 points from 9 matches.

"As a result, these values reflect water quality parameters at the exact time and place from where these water samples were collected, and may not fully represent the overall characteristics of the river, therefore, not necessarily reflecting the overall river water quality throughout the river stretch,7jogos cassino" it said.

The report also said that because of the variability, a statistical analysis of water quality data of various monitoring locations for the key parameters was undertaken from January 12 to February 22 at 10 locations of "mass bathing" and that 20 rounds of monitoring were done.

"It is submitted that as per the above-mentioned statistical analysis, the median value (central tendency of the data) of pH, DO, BOD and FC for the monitored stretches is within the respective criteria/permissible limits," the report noted.

According to the report, the median value for FC was 1,400 as compared to the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, while the DO was 8.7 vis-a-vis the stipulated norm of being greater than 5 milligram per litre, and the BOD was 2.56 against the stipulated limit of less than or equal to 3 mg per litre.

Also Read | Mahakumbh 2025: UP CM Claims Sangam Water Is Fit For Drinking, Refutes Pollution Reports; Akhilesh Seeks Probe

CPCB Released Contradictory Data In February

On February 17, the CPCB had informed the tribunal through a report that various locations in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh were not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to the level of faecal coliform.

"The river water quality was not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to faecal coliform at all the monitored locations on various occasions."

"A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela, including on auspicious bathing days, which eventually leads to an increase in faecal concentration," the report had said.

The previous government data showed that the river water at Sangam is currently exceeding the safe limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD) as well. BOD refers to the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a water body. A higher BOD level indicates more organic content in the water.

At present, the matter has been posted for hearing on April 7.

Advocate Saurabh Tiwari appeared for the petitioner in the case.

66br

After the report triggered reactions in the political circle, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the water at the Sangam is fit for both bathing and ritual drinking (aachman).

He told the state assembly that the Uttar Pradesh Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board were continuously monitoring the water quality at the Sangam.

"This time, 81 drains have been tapped, treating 261 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage. In January and February, fecal coliform levels at the Sangam nose were found to be within the acceptable range, below 2,500 MPN per 100 ml, according to the UP Pollution (Control) Board," he had said, according to an official statement.

(With PTI inputs)30win