NEW DELHI: Water quality at several locations in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh did not meet primary bathing standards due to high faecal coliform levels, a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the National Green Tribunal on Monday.
According to the CPCB, faecal coliform—a key indicator of sewage contamination—should not exceed the permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml.
What is faecal coliform?
Faecal coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms found in the intestines of humans and animals. Their presence in water indicates contamination from sewage or animal waste. While not all coliform bacteria are harmful, their detection raises concerns about the potential presence of dangerous pathogens like viruses, Salmonella, and E. coli.
‘Increase in faecal concentration’
A tribunal panel, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, reviewed measures to prevent sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj. The bench took note of a CPCB report dated February 3, highlighting certain non-compliances and violations.
“The river water quality was not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at all the monitored locations on various occasions. A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela, including on auspicious bathing days, which eventually leads to an increase in faecal concentration,” the report said.
‘High levels of faecal and total coliform at various locations’
The tribunal noted that UPPCB had not submitted a comprehensive action taken report as previously directed, instead providing only a covering letter with water test results.
“Even upon reviewing the documents enclosed with the covering letter dated January 28, 2025, sent by the in-charge of the central laboratory, UPPCB, it is reflected that high levels of faecal and total coliform have been found at various locations,” it continued.
The counsel for Uttar Pradesh received one day to examine and respond to the report. The tribunal instructed the UPPCB Member Secretary and relevant state authority responsible for Ganga water quality at Prayagraj to attend the next virtual hearing scheduled for February 19.
‘People back from Kumbh experiencing medical issues’
While in a separate video, a Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told news agency ANI: “We are definitely seeing people with medical problems who are coming back from Kumbh, but obviously in a place which has so many people taking a dip in the water. We would expect that this would happen. The number of people who are coming with medical problems is much less as compared to the volume of people that are going over there.
“That way, I think the control is very good, but yes, people are definitely coming with something like what we call gastroenteritis, where they’re having loose motions, vomiting, and all that. They’re having a fever of unspecific or unspecified origin. Most probably, they’re viral fevers that are happening,” the expert warned.
‘Respiratory tract infections due to crowded settings’
The Senior Consultant said that many people returning from Kumbh are experiencing respiratory tract infections which is a common ailment in crowded settings.
“Quite a few people are suffering from respiratory tract infections, like a runny nose, sneezing, cough, and cold, which is obviously very common. When you go to such a crowded place, and then you take a dip, which might be at 3 am in the morning, you can get exposed to this cold,” he continued.
He further advised the “people to carry their own water, maybe water from home or maybe bottles of water, and they should drink water from a good place or carry their own bottles”.
“The second thing is to eat food from a healthy place and eat cooked food rather than raw food, wear a mask and try to keep people at a distance…Do not drink the water while taking a dip in the river,” the doctor added.