Water Quality Woes at Mahakumbh: Prayagraj's Aquatic Alarm

The National Green Tribunal was informed that water quality in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh does not meet bathing standards due to high faecal coliform levels. The CPCB report highlights non-compliance issues, urging the UPPCB to take action. The tribunal mandates a response from Uttar Pradesh authorities ahead of a scheduled hearing.

In a recent revelation that raises environmental concerns, the National Green Tribunal learned that water in Prayagraj, during the revered Mahakumbh, fails to meet the required standards for bathing. The Central Pollution Control Board reports elevated levels of faecal coliform, a contamination marker, exceeding permissible limits.

The Tribunal's bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, is urgently addressing this issue to prevent further sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Highlighting the extensive footfall during the Mahakumbh, the report underscores how the influx of people exacerbates water quality concerns.

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has come under scrutiny for insufficient compliance with previous directives. The Tribunal insists on a detailed response, urging UPPCB's and state authorities' virtual presence at the February 19 hearing, stressing the critical need for action in managing water standards.