Lucknow, March 3 — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday rejected claims of pollution at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh, asserting that comprehensive monitoring of water quality had shown the river remained clean throughout the event.
Addressing a gathering of officials from the Indian Institute of Management and Indian Postal Service in Lucknow, Adityanath firmly dismissed the reports, saying, "Despite baseless claims, our state pollution control board and independent labs consistently found water quality at the Sangam to be within safe limits."
Drawing attention to a past incident in 2013, he recalled when the Prime Minister of Mauritius had refrained from taking a dip at the Sangam due to pollution in the Ganga. "We ensured that such an incident did not happen this time," Adityanath said.
A significant step in this direction was the successful closure of the Jajmau sewage outlet in Kanpur, which had been discharging four crore litres of untreated sewage into the Ganga daily for 125 years. "We stopped it three years ago, and today, not a single drop of sewage enters the river," he proudly declared.
Adityanath also pointed out how Kanpur’s tannery effluents, once considered highly toxic, were now under strict regulation. "We installed round-the-clock CCTV monitoring two years ago and mandated treatment plants for all tanneries. Those who failed to comply had to shut down," he added.
To counter these claims, the government set up multiple independent labs and invited private entities to verify the water quality. "We continuously tested the water from January 11 to February 26, and the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels at the Sangam remained consistently below three, often at one or two. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), which should be above five, consistently measured between eight and ten," he said.
While acknowledging some temporary spikes of 1,200-1,300 MPN upstream due to cattle movement, he emphasized that overall pollution levels were well within acceptable limits. "We challenged those spreading misinformation and provided our lab data. Ultimately, even the CPCB had to acknowledge the accuracy of our findings," he concluded.
The government's proactive steps in improving sewage management, wastewater treatment, and stringent monitoring protocols have been central to addressing both environmental and public health concerns during the event.
Addressing a gathering of officials from the Indian Institute of Management and Indian Postal Service in Lucknow, Adityanath firmly dismissed the reports, saying, "Despite baseless claims, our state pollution control board and independent labs consistently found water quality at the Sangam to be within safe limits."
Addressing Environmental Concerns
The Maha Kumbh, a monumental religious gathering held every 12 years, has faced criticism for potential environmental impacts, especially considering its massive scale. Adityanath highlighted previous concerns raised by UNESCO, which had pointed out the environmental risks associated with the event.Drawing attention to a past incident in 2013, he recalled when the Prime Minister of Mauritius had refrained from taking a dip at the Sangam due to pollution in the Ganga. "We ensured that such an incident did not happen this time," Adityanath said.
Measures Taken to Prevent Pollution
The Chief Minister emphasized the measures his government had implemented to prevent contamination of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. "We took preventive measures from day one to ensure no sewage or industrial waste entered the rivers," he stated.A significant step in this direction was the successful closure of the Jajmau sewage outlet in Kanpur, which had been discharging four crore litres of untreated sewage into the Ganga daily for 125 years. "We stopped it three years ago, and today, not a single drop of sewage enters the river," he proudly declared.
Adityanath also pointed out how Kanpur’s tannery effluents, once considered highly toxic, were now under strict regulation. "We installed round-the-clock CCTV monitoring two years ago and mandated treatment plants for all tanneries. Those who failed to comply had to shut down," he added.
Water Quality Data and Independent Testing
The Chief Minister further revealed that in Prayagraj, sewage treatment plants were integrated into the Namami Gange project, and untreated sewage was processed using bio-remediation techniques. Despite these efforts, Adityanath noted that certain groups had tried to spread misinformation about the pollution levels.To counter these claims, the government set up multiple independent labs and invited private entities to verify the water quality. "We continuously tested the water from January 11 to February 26, and the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels at the Sangam remained consistently below three, often at one or two. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), which should be above five, consistently measured between eight and ten," he said.
Disputing Fecal Coliform Claims
Addressing a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which cited high fecal coliform levels at the Sangam, Adityanath clarified, "Fecal coliform levels are measured in Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml, and the acceptable limit is below 2,500 MPN. From January 11 to February 26, our samples consistently showed levels as low as 100 MPN."While acknowledging some temporary spikes of 1,200-1,300 MPN upstream due to cattle movement, he emphasized that overall pollution levels were well within acceptable limits. "We challenged those spreading misinformation and provided our lab data. Ultimately, even the CPCB had to acknowledge the accuracy of our findings," he concluded.
Maha Kumbh's Impact and Public Concerns
The Maha Kumbh, which took place over more than 40 days, attracted over 66 crore pilgrims, making water quality a critical concern for authorities. With the event now concluded, Adityanath's government stands firm on the efficacy of its measures to ensure the protection of the rivers during this spiritual gathering.The government's proactive steps in improving sewage management, wastewater treatment, and stringent monitoring protocols have been central to addressing both environmental and public health concerns during the event.
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