The Maha Kumbh 2025, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, places immense stress on the water quality of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj. As millions of devotees have bathed, concerns about environmental and public health risks have intensified. A recent report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed alarming levels of contamination, primarily due to untreated sewage discharge and large-scale human activity.
Among the most concerning findings is the presence of high faecal coliform levels. While the permissible threshold for safe bathing is 2,500 MPN/100 ml, tests conducted in January recorded values reaching as high as 49,000 at Sangam, 33000 and 17,000 at Deeha Ghat on two consecutive days, and 33,000 at Old Naini Bridge. Further data from various drains during Maha Kumbh 2025 indicates even more alarming levels of pollution.
Extremely high faecal coliform levels were observed, particularly in the Jondhwal Drain and Sasur Khaderi river, where concentrations reached 9.2 × 10^6 MPN/100 ml (Approx 4,000 times higher than the permissible limit). This indicates severe microbial contamination, posing significant health risks for millions of pilgrims engaging in ritual bathing. Rajapur Drain and Salori Drain also exhibited faecal coliform levels above 3.5 × 10^6 MPN/100 ml, reinforcing the need for immediate intervention.
The pH levels across the sites ranged from 7.19 to 7.63, staying within permissible limits, but the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels were critically low at several locations. The Sasur Khaderi river recorded just 1 milligram per litre (mg/L) and Shivkuti Drain at 2 mg/L, signaling severe organic pollution, likely due to untreated sewage and industrial effluents. The minimum level of DO necessary in rivers and streams is 4 mg/L (parts per million) for the survival of fishes and aquatic animals.
The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were also notably high, particularly at Shivkuti Drain (82.8 mg/L) and Jondhwal Drain (68 mg/L), highlighting excessive particulate matter that can impact aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values were alarmingly elevated, with Jondhwal Drain reporting COD of 132 mg/L and BOD of 36.2 mg/L, far exceeding safe limits and pointing to heavy organic contamination.
Despite significant investments and the adoption of advanced wastewater treatment technologies, authorities have struggled to achieve the desired river water quality. The deployment of the Hybrid Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor (hgSBR) and temporary sewage treatment plants (T-STPs) in high-traffic zones was intended to manage high organic loads efficiently, yet pollution levels remain concerning. Similarly, while Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTs) were introduced in temporary settlements and a 200-km underground drainage system was developed to control wastewater at the source, untreated discharges continue to impact water bodies.
Real-time IoT monitoring systems were installed to track pollution and enforce compliance, but enforcement gaps and operational inefficiencies have limited their effectiveness. Additionally, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s (BARC) gamma radiation technology for sterilising biomedical and faecal waste, though promising, has not been widely scaled up to mitigate pathogen loads comprehensively. Even with a Rs 1,600 crore allocation for sanitation, including the installation of 145,000 portable toilets, waste mismanagement and inadequate infrastructure upkeep have hindered water quality improvements. These shortcomings highlight the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, better coordination, and sustained efforts to achieve lasting environmental benefits.
In response to these concerning findings, the NGT has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and other state authorities to implement immediate corrective measures. The tribunal has criticised the lack of a comprehensive action report and mandated biweekly water testing, requiring the results to be publicly displayed on CPCB and UPPCB websites. Authorities have been urged to strengthen water management systems, especially on high footfall days, and to ensure that untreated sewage and solid waste do not enter the Ganga and Yamuna.
The analysis aims to provide better clarity on key concerns and raises the following questions:
Comprehensive research is needed to evaluate the impact of faecal contamination on downstream cities and its implications for public health.
Has a feasibility study been conducted prior to installing sanitation infrastructure for the Maha Kumbh? Additionally, a post-event evaluation should be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of these systems.
Continuous monitoring of both sanitation infrastructure and river water quality is essential to understand the long-term impact of Maha Kumbh.
What are the short- and long-term health risks associated with exposure to such high levels of microbial contamination?
Were adequate efforts made to engage communities and raise public awareness about sanitation and pollution control during the event?
The findings of the CPCB report highlight the urgent need for sustained environmental vigilance. While technological advancements and regulatory measures present hopeful solutions, strict enforcement remains crucial to curbing pollution effectively.
The long-term sustainability of the Ganga and Yamuna depends on continuous monitoring, improved wastewater treatment, and public cooperation. Without proactive mitigation efforts, the environmental and public health risks posed by such contamination will continue to escalate, endangering both aquatic life and human health.