Maha Kumbh 2025: Triveni Sangam’s Water Classified ‘Unsafe’ for Bathing Because of High BOD Levels

Prayagraj: In the backdrop of the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025, a serious issue has arisen in terms of the quality of water at the Triveni Sangam, where millions of pilgrims have gathered to bathe. Official figures have shown the water at the sacred confluence to be unsafe for bathing as there is excessive Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the water. High BOD levels point towards higher organic pollution, and the fear is the health hazard it poses to pilgrims.

What Is BOD and Why Is It Important?

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is an important parameter to measure the quality of water. It quantifies the volume of oxygen needed by aerobic microbes to break down organic matter present in the water. The higher the BOD value, the more the organic pollutants and, thus, the water becomes unfit for consumption by humans. The allowable value for bathing water is 3 milligrams per litre (mg/L), above which the chances of contamination and infection become substantially high.

Latest Water Quality Data

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) figures, the BOD value at Sangam has always been above the safety mark:

• February 16, 5 AM: 5.09 mg/L
• February 18, 5 PM: 4.6 mg/L
• February 19, 8 AM: 5.29 mg/L

When the Maha Kumbh started on January 13, the BOD level was measured at 3.94 mg/L. It improved briefly on Makar Sankranti (January 14) to 2.28 mg/L and then again declined to 1 mg/L on January 15. But by January 24, the BOD level increased once again to 4.08 mg/L and was measured at 3.26 mg/L on Mauni Amavasya (January 29).

The government of Uttar Pradesh has been releasing 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water into the Ganga to enhance water quality, but the output has been varied.

Faecal Contamination Also a Major Concern

In addition to excessive BOD, CPCB reports filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have pointed to high faecal coliform levels, a prime determinant of water pollution. Faecal coliform values exceeding 2,500 units per 100 ml reflect contamination by sewage, which is highly dangerous to health with gastrointestinal infections and skin ailments.

The recent report indicates that various places in Prayagraj don’t comply with the main standards of water quality for bathing, reaffirming the fears expressed by environmentalists and health specialists.

Government’s Sanitation Initiatives

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a number of measures to provide sanitation and hygiene during the Maha Kumbh 2025. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted measures undertaken since the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, which include:

• Installation of 1.5 lakh individual toilets with Sintex tanks to store faecal sludge.
• Two faecal sludge treatment plants to treat the waste.
• Installation of a 200 km-long temporary drainage system to dispose of wastewater efficiently.

Singh pointed to the remarkable strides in sanitation, stating that pilgrims have more comfortable facilities this time compared to past Kumbh Melas.

Experts Raise Concerns

In spite of these steps, environmentalists are still not convinced. Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP), accused the government of underestimating the dangers posed by contaminated water.

“It is the moral responsibility of the government to supply clean water for bathing. When the water is unsafe, there is always a high risk of infection,” he added.

Pollution Trends in India’s Rivers

India’s rivers have been seeing a rise in levels of pollution over the last decade. In 2015, the CPCB reported 302 polluted river stretches over 12,000 km in India. The figure went up to 351 polluted stretches in 2018, 61 of which were heavily polluted.

Looking Ahead: Can Maha Kumbh Avoid a Health Crisis?

With the Maha Kumbh to end on February 26 (Maha Shivaratri), the government is under increasing pressure to ensure that the millions of pilgrims attending the festival are not put at risk of serious health hazards. Although the authorities are still putting in place measures to deal with waste and clean up the water, the statistics indicate that there is still a lot of work to be done.

As pilgrims keep taking dips in the holy waters, the question is—will the government succeed in balancing religion and public health, or will the world’s largest religious festival become an environmental and health disaster?