Sangam water 'fit for drinking': Yogi Adityanath rejects faecal coliform report

Maha Kumbh 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rejected a report that claimed that the river water in Prayagraj is not fit for bathing during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

Yogi claimed that the water at the Sangam is "fit for drinking".

“Misinformation is being spread that Kumbh water quality is deteriorating. Kumbh water is absolutely fine to take a dip. The UP pollution control board is continuously monitoring the cleanliness of the water. All imminent leaders from the country and the world have taken the dip in Maha Kumbh. It is santushtikaran, not tushtikaran taking a dip in Kumbh.”

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Tuesday had told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the quality of water at various locations in Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela is not fit for bathing due to the presence of faecal coliform.

Faecal coliform, a marker of sewage contamination, has a permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A bench of the NGT while hearing the issue of preventing sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj noted that the CPCB had filed a report dated February 3, pointing out certain non-compliances or 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.

The bench also noted that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had not complied with the tribunal's earlier direction to file a comprehensive action taken report. The tribunal observed that the UPPCB had only filed a covering letter with certain water test reports.

"Member Secretary, UPPCB, and the concerned state authority responsible for maintaining the water quality in the river Ganga at Prayagraj are directed to appear virtually at the next hearing, scheduled for February 19," the tribunal said.