Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding Ganga and Yamuna water quality at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 17/02/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Kamlesh Singh Vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others dated 17/02/2025.
The matter is related to the quality of water in river Ganga and Yamuna in Prayagraj. The tribunal was also examining the allegations of the discharge of untreated sewage through the drains in river Ganga and Yamuna with reference to Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela.
The NGT through its order dated December 23, 2024 had directed the regulatory agencies to ensure that no untreated sewage and solid waste from any of the drains in Prayagraj is discharged in river Ganga and Yamuna. The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board were directed to ensure that the river water quality at all times is drinking water/ bathing water quality.
The CPCB in its report, February 3, 2025 said that with "respect to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), river water quality was not conforming with the bathing criteria during monitoring carried out on 12-13 January, 2025 at most of the locations, however after that organic pollution (in terms of BOD) started to decrease due to freshwater intrusion at upstream locations".
The CPCB said that "river water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing w.r.t. Fecal Coliform (FC) at all the monitored locations on various occasions. Huge number of people taking bath at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela in river including auspicious bathing days which eventually leads to increase in fecal concentration".
The report further mentions about the status of the Sadar Bazar drain, Rajapur drain, ADA Colony/Jwala Devi drain, Jhondhwal drain, Shivkuti drain, Salori drain, Sasur Khaderi drain and reveals that no flow meter was observed in the inlet and outlet in any of these drains.
However, UPPCB failed to file the required comprehensive action taken report as directed by the NGT, December 23, 2024. The documents filed by the UPPCB reflected the high level of fecal and total coliform which has been found in various locations, the court noted.
Counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh has sought time to examine the reports and file a response. The NGT, February 17, 2025 directed the Member Secretary, UPPCB and the concerned state authority who are responsible for maintaining the water quality in river Ganga at Prayagraj are directed to appear virtually on the next date of hearing (February 19, 2025).