New Delhi: Prominent environment experts have countered Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report claiming poor quality of water at Mahakumbh. The CPCB report said that Triveni Sangam water is not fit for bathing. The CPCB cites high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the water.
Prof Umesh Kumar Singh, who teaches at Centre of Environmental Science at the University of Allahabad, said that water at Sangam is fit for taking a bath keeping in view the current set of data.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | On water quality at Triveni Singam in Prayagraj, Prof Umesh Kumar Singh, Centre of Environmental Science, University of Allahabad, says, “… A few days back, the Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) prepared a report which states increased levels of… pic.twitter.com/naalTrODvR
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2025
‘CPCB needs to work more’
“A few days back, the Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report stated increased levels of faecal coliform (bacteria) in the water. I believe that the CPCB needs to work more on the report because their data is not complete,” Professor Singh said.
“The level of nitrates and phosphates are missing from the report. The level of dissolved oxygen in the water, as shown in the report, is good. And on the basis of the current data, I can say that the water at Triveni Sangam is fit for taking a bath,” Professor Umesh Singh told ANI.
“Report very inconsistent”
Similarly, another professor RK Ranjan termed CPCB report “very inconsistent”.
According to RK Ranjan, who is Associate Professor Central University of South Bihar, the Central Pollution Control Board data is very inconsistent and to conclude that water is unsafe to bathe in would be to say things in haste.
#WATCH | Gaya, Bihar | On the report of faecal bacteria contamination in Prayagraj waters, Associate Professor Central University of South Bihar, RK Ranjan says, “Central Pollution Control Board data is very inconsistent. To conclude that water is unsafe to bathe in would be to… pic.twitter.com/p7OeBjD8mE
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2025
He added, “There is not enough data to conclude that the waters in Prayagraj are not safe to bathe in. Similar data can be seen from Garhmukteshwar, Gazipur, Buxar and Patna. There could be many reasons for this to happen. Among others one reason behind this is when a large number of people bathe in the same waters. It also matters from where and when the sample of water is taken.”
“Coliform bacteria is nothing new”
Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra, another environmental scientists from JNU, also holds the same opinion. Mishra says the presence of coliform bacteria is nothing new and called for new data set.
“I would say we need more data sets, we need more measurements. There is a huge number of population which is taking bath at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. If you talk about the coliform bacteria, it is nothing new. If you see the data of the Shashi Snan peaks, you will see that the E.Coli bacteria peaks at that time. So, I would say that we need more data sets, we need more parameters, we need more monitoring stations, especially down the stream,” Amit Kumar Mishra said.
Prof. Chander Kumar Singh of TERI School of Advanced Studies also said that many parameters are not present in the CPBC report.
“In the CPCB report available, many parameters are not present. I believe better information can be given if more data and facts come out,” Prof. Chander argued.
#WATCH | Delhi | On the report of faecal bacteria contamination in Prayagraj waters, Prof. Chander Kumar Singh of TERI School of Advanced Studies,” In the CPCB report available, many parameters are not present. I believe better information can be given if more data and facts come… pic.twitter.com/UrU44YOtku
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2025
