Ganga water at Sangam unsafe for bathing due to high BOD levels

The water quality of the Ganga at Triveni Sangam, where lakhs of devotees are taking a holy dip daily during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, has exceeded the prescribed safety limits for bathing, according to government data.

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The Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level, a key parameter for water quality, was recorded at 5.09 milligrams per litre at 5 am on February 16. It further measured 4.6 milligrams per litre at 5 pm on February 18 and rose to 5.29 milligrams per litre at 8 am on February 19. River water is deemed fit for bathing when the BOD level is below 3 milligrams per litre.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows that the BOD level was 3.94 milligrams per litre on January 13, when the Maha Kumbh began. The level briefly improved, dropping to 2.28 milligrams per litre on January 14 and further to 1 milligram per litre on January 15.

However, it spiked again to 4.08 milligrams per litre on January 24 and stood at 3.26 milligrams per litre on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya).

A report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 3 indicated that water quality at most monitoring locations in Prayagraj did not meet bathing standards on January 12-13.