The central government informed Parliament that the water in the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj was fit for bathing during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh.
Citing a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the government said key water quality indicators, including dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand, were within permissible limits.
The report comes amid concerns over pollution levels in the Ganga, especially during major religious gatherings.
Earlier, a CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 3 had indicated that water at some locations in Prayagraj did not meet primary bathing standards due to high faecal coliform levels.
However, a revised report on February 28 stated that a statistical analysis of water quality data showed the river was fit for bathing.
The CPCB noted that water samples collected from the same locations on different dates showed variability, making statistical analysis necessary to determine the overall water quality.
The tribunal had earlier directed authorities to monitor Ganga and Yamuna water quality at frequent intervals during the Maha Kumbh.
The government said Rs 7,421 crore was allocated to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for river cleaning efforts over three financial years.
To improve water quality, the Uttar Pradesh government installed 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs) and seven geosynthetic dewatering tubes to treat wastewater from drains flowing into the river.
Additional measures included the installation of prefabricated temporary STPs, faecal sludge treatment plants, and advanced oxidation techniques to prevent untreated wastewater from entering the river.
The mela area was also equipped with a sufficient number of toilets, urinals, and waste disposal bins to manage the large number of pilgrims visiting the Maha Kumbh.
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