February 19th 2025.
On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made an important announcement about the water quality at the Sangam. He said that recent reports have confirmed that the water is now suitable for both bathing and ritual use, despite previous claims of high levels of faecal bacteria. Adityanath also mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board are continuously monitoring the water quality at the Sangam to ensure its safety for the public.
The Chief Minister also took this opportunity to address the criticism from the Opposition Samajwadi Party. He pointed out that during their rule, the condition of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers was in such poor state that the Prime Minister of Mauritius had refused to take a dip during the 2013 Kumbh. However, this time, 81 drains have been tapped and 261 MLD of sewage has been treated, resulting in the faecal coliform levels at the Sangam being within the acceptable range in January and February.
Adityanath also mentioned that the Central Pollution Control Board has confirmed this improvement in their report. He reassured the state Assembly that both the UP and Central Pollution Control Boards are continuously monitoring the water quality and that recent reports have confirmed that the water at the Sangam is now safe for bathing and ritual use. He also highlighted the efforts being made for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in 2025, compared to the mismanagement and corruption during the 2013 edition.
The Chief Minister noted that the 2025 event is being organized in a grand manner, with better facilities and well-planned arrangements. This is in stark contrast to the chaos and administrative negligence during the SP rule in 2013. Adityanath also mentioned the stampede at Prayagraj Station in 2013 and how the then head of the state government had criticized the Centre, despite the fact that the Uttar Pradesh government was not receiving enough funds and there was corruption in the money that was spent, as stated in the 2014 CAG report.
Comparing the 2013 and 2025 events, Adityanath pointed out that the duration of the Kumbh is determined by religious calculations. He mentioned that the 2025 event will last 45 days, compared to the 55 days of the 2013 edition. Furthermore, the Maha Kumbh Mela area has expanded from 1,936 hectares in 2013 to more than 10,000 acres in 2025. The number of sectors has also increased from 14 to 25, and the parking area has seen significant improvement, now accommodating more than 6,00,000 four-wheelers in an area of 1,850 hectares, compared to just 635 hectares in 2013.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the improvements in infrastructure for the 2025 event. He mentioned that in 2013, there were no permanent ghats, riverfronts, or ROBs (road overbridges) in Prayagraj, but by 2019, nine ROBs and six underpasses had been built. For the upcoming event, 14 flyovers, nine permanent ghats, and seven riverfronts have been prepared. The length of temporary ghats has also increased from 4 km in 2013 to 12 km in 2025. This shows the efforts being made by the government to make the Maha Kumbh a successful and safe event for all.
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