By The Sampadak Express
The water at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the holy Saraswati rivers converge, has been declared unsafe for bathing by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The warning comes as the water has exceeded the prescribed Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, a key indicator of water quality.
BOD is used to measure the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic material in water. The higher the BOD, the more organic matter the water contains. For river water to be considered fit for bathing, the BOD level should be under 3 milligrams per litre. CPCB’s monitoring data reveals that the BOD levels at Triveni Sangam have consistently exceeded this limit in recent days.
BOD Levels at Triveni Sangam:
The CPCB has been monitoring the water quality at Sangam, and its data shows that the BOD levels have remained above the prescribed limit at various points throughout January:
Jan 13: 3.94 mg/l
Jan 14: 2.28 mg/l
Jan 15: 1.0 mg/l
Jan 16: 5.09 mg/l
Jan 18: 4.6 mg/l
Jan 19: 4.29 mg/l
Jan 24: 4.08 mg/l
Jan 29: 3.26 mg/l
These readings indicate that the water quality at the Sangam does not meet the safe bathing criteria, which has raised concerns during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025.
CPCB’s Report to NGT:
On February 3, the CPCB submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), revealing that river water quality did not meet the bathing standards at most locations in Prayagraj during monitoring on January 12-13, 2025. However, the report also mentioned that after January 13, 2025, the organic pollution (as measured by BOD) started decreasing, largely due to the inflow of freshwater from upstream sources.
Despite improvements, the CPCB pointed out that the water quality still did not meet the bathing standards on January 19 at the Lord Curzon Bridge on the Ganga. The water quality at that location remained substandard with high BOD levels, making it unsafe for bathing.
Measures to Improve Water Quality:
In response to the water quality concerns, officials from the Uttar Pradesh government stated that they have been releasing between 10,000 and 11,000 cusecs of water into the Ganga to help dilute pollutants and lower the BOD levels. This action is aimed at ensuring that the water meets the prescribed standards for safe bathing during the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival.
Maha Kumbh 2025:
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a major religious event that draws millions of pilgrims to the banks of the Ganga, began on January 13, 2025, and is set to conclude on February 26, 2025. The Triveni Sangam, considered one of the holiest sites in Hinduism, is the focal point of this massive gathering.
According to the Uttar Pradesh government, over 54 crore people have taken a dip in the waters of Triveni Sangam so far as part of their religious observances. Despite the concerns raised about water quality, the spiritual significance of the Sangam continues to attract millions of devotees who believe that bathing in these waters during the Kumbh Mela purifies them of sins.
While the Uttar Pradesh government is taking measures to improve the water quality, including releasing additional freshwater into the Ganga, the CPCB’s findings have highlighted significant concerns about the safety of the water at Triveni Sangam. As millions of people continue to participate in the Maha Kumbh, authorities will need to monitor the water quality closely to ensure the health and safety of the pilgrims bathing in these sacred waters.
