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The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of the Ganga River water. Government data reveals that the water at the Triveni Sangam, where millions of pilgrims take holy dips daily, consistently exceeds the prescribed limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD). BOD, a key indicator of water quality, measures the amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter. Higher BOD levels signify increased organic pollution, rendering the water unsuitable for bathing. The prescribed safe limit for bathing is less than 3 milligrams per litre (mg/L), yet readings consistently show higher levels, reaching as high as 5.29 mg/L on February 19th. This alarming situation highlights a critical failure in maintaining acceptable water quality during a massive religious gathering of this scale.
While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported improved BOD levels after January 13th due to upstream freshwater intrusion, this improvement was short-lived. The initial drop to 1 mg/L on January 15th was followed by a steady increase, demonstrating the overwhelming impact of human activity at the Kumbh Mela. The influx of millions of pilgrims, generating an estimated 16 million litres of faecal waste and 240 million litres of greywater daily, significantly contributes to the pollution. This massive waste generation overwhelms the capacity of even the improved sanitation infrastructure implemented for the event. Despite the Uttar Pradesh government’s claims of improved sanitation since the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, with the construction of over 1.5 lakh individual toilets and two faecal sludge treatment plants, the sheer volume of waste produced appears to be insurmountable, resulting in the persistent unsafe water conditions.
The government's response to the situation is marked by conflicting statements and a potential disregard for public health. While officials highlight the advancements in sanitation infrastructure and claim success in improving water quality, the data clearly contradicts these assertions. The release of 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water into the Ganga to meet bathing standards, while a measure to mitigate the pollution, has been insufficient to counter the massive impact of the Kumbh Mela. This discrepancy raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the government's efforts and their commitment to prioritizing public health over political narratives of success. The claim that no harm has come to those bathing in the river, as stated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, is irresponsible and potentially dangerous, disregarding the inherent health risks associated with bathing in polluted water.
Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP), rightly criticizes the government's irresponsible stance. He emphasizes the government's moral obligation to provide clean water for bathing and highlights the increased risk of infection when water is unfit for use. This underscores the ethical lapse in prioritizing the successful execution of a religious event over the health and well-being of millions of participants. The situation highlights a critical need for stricter regulations and more comprehensive planning for large-scale events like the Kumbh Mela, incorporating robust water quality management and waste disposal strategies. The long-term consequences of ignoring the environmental and health implications of such gatherings could be devastating for the Ganga River ecosystem and the health of its surrounding communities.
The Kumbh Mela, while a significant religious event, cannot come at the cost of public health. The current situation exposes a gap between the government's claims of progress and the reality on the ground. Moving forward, a more transparent and responsible approach, prioritizing data-driven decision-making and public health over political messaging, is crucial. This requires a multi-faceted strategy involving proactive water quality monitoring, enhanced waste management systems, and a long-term commitment to the sustainable management of the Ganga River. Failing to address these critical issues risks exacerbating the pollution problem and jeopardizing the health of future Kumbh Mela pilgrims and the surrounding communities dependent on the river for their livelihoods.
Source: Ganga Water At Kumbh's Sangam Unsafe On Another Parameter Too: Data