Sangam water fit to bathe in, even drink, insists Yogi

The water at the Sangam site is fit for both bathing and ritual drinking, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday, dismissing reports by India's pollution watchdog that warned earlier this week of high faecal matter contamination at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

- HT Correspondent

Speaking in the assembly, Adityanath said reports of severe contamination of Maha Kumbh water were misleading, days after the Central Pollution Control Board told the National Green Tribunal that water at several locations at the Maha Kumbh was contaminated with high levels of faecal coliform and not fit for bathing.

Adityanath pointed to reports by the state pollution control board and said that all the pipes and drains in and around the Sangam were taped, and the water was being released only after purification.

"The UP and CPCB are continuously monitoring water quality, and recent reports confirm that the water at the Sangam is now fit for both bathing and ritual drinking (aachman)," he said. "This means that the false campaign was done only to defame the Maha Kumbh," he added. To be sure, CPCB took water samples on January 12, 13, 15, 19, 20 and 24 from various locations in the Ganga and Yamuna, and found the faecal coliform levels to be between 2,000-49,000MPN/100ml, as against the acceptable limit of 2,500 MPN/100ml.

Adityanath was replying to the adjournment motion moved by the Samajwadi Party and Congress over the alleged mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh. He also attacked the Opposition and said it was constantly spreading "false propaganda" and trying to "mislead people".

Adityanath said the amount of Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) - a measure of how much oxygen is needed to break down organic matter in water-near the Sangam was less than 3, and dissolved oxygen level was around 8-9. "The reasons for increased faecal coliform can be several, such as sewage leakage and animal waste, but the amount of faecal coliform in Prayagraj is, as per the standards, less than 2,500 MPN per 100 ml," he said.

The CM said CPCB also confirmed that the water met cleanliness standards.