February 19th 2025.
New Delhi: The beautiful Ganga river, at the holy Triveni Sangam, has been a popular spot for lakhs of people to take a dip during the ongoing Maha Kumbh. However, recent government data has shown that the water at this sacred site is currently unsafe for bathing, as it exceeds the prescribed limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD). This is an important factor in determining the quality of water, as it measures the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in the water. A higher BOD level indicates a higher amount of organic content in the water. As per the standard, river water is considered suitable for bathing if the BOD level is less than 3 milligrams per litre.
Unfortunately, the government data has revealed that the BOD level at Triveni Sangam is currently exceeding the limit. On January 16 at 5 am, it was recorded at 5.09 milligrams per litre, and on January 18 at 5 pm, it was 4.6 milligrams per litre. The BOD level has continued to rise, reaching 5.29 milligrams per litre on January 19 at 8 am. This is a cause for concern, as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had reported a BOD level of 3.94 milligrams per litre on January 13, when the Maha Kumbh began. However, there was some improvement on Makar Sankranti, with the BOD level dropping to 2.28 milligrams per litre and further decreasing to just 1 milligram per litre on January 15. But unfortunately, the BOD level has once again increased, reaching 4.08 milligrams per litre on January 24 and 3.26 milligrams per litre on Mauni Amavasya.
In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on February 3, the CPCB stated that the river water at most locations in Prayagraj did not meet bathing standards during their monitoring on January 12-13. However, they did note that there was a decrease in organic pollution after January 13, due to the influx of freshwater from upstream locations. They also reported that after January 13, the river water quality was in accordance with the bathing criteria, except for the area near Lord Curzon bridge on river Ganga on January 19.
To ensure that the water is safe for bathing, the Uttar Pradesh government has been releasing 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water into the Ganga. The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will conclude on February 26, which is Maha Shivaratri Day. It has been estimated that over 54 crore people have taken a dip in the holy waters of Triveni Sangam so far. The Maha Kumbh Nagar is known as the world's largest temporary city and can accommodate anywhere between 50 lakh to 1 crore devotees at a time.
However, with such a large number of people visiting the site, it is inevitable that there would be a significant amount of waste generated. In fact, it has been reported that these pilgrims generate around 16 million litres of faecal waste and 240 million litres of greywater daily from activities such as cooking, washing, and bathing. Recognizing this issue, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, Manoj Kumar Singh, addressed the media on Sunday and credited the government's efforts in improving the river water quality and sanitation since the 2019 Ardh Kumbh.
Mr. Singh highlighted the significant progress made in terms of sanitation, stating that before 2019, there were no toilets at the Kumbh. Instead, officials would designate an area with a red flag, provide tents, and open defecation would take place. However, in 2019, the government took a step towards improving sanitation by constructing 1.14 lakh individual toilets with Sintex tanks to collect wastewater and excreta. These toilets were desludged every two to three days, and the faecal sludge was taken to open oxidation ponds located far away. This year, the government has gone a step further and constructed 1.5 lakh individual toilets and two faecal sludge treatment plants. Additionally, a temporary drainage network, spanning 200 km, has been set up to connect these treatment facilities.
The Chief Secretary proudly stated that the improvements in sanitation are evident, and those who have attended the Kumbh in the past can distinctly see the difference. He also emphasized that sanitation is a significant aspect and one of the hallmarks of the Maha Kumbh.
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