Govt: Ganga in U’khand, J’khand clean, not polluted
The Ganga meets bathing water quality standards in Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, according to the Jal Shakti Ministry. Certain stretches in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal also meet the criteria, the ministry told the Lok Sabha.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, cited a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report. He confirmed that faecal coliform levels remain within safe limits in these regions. The report also found that Faecal Streptococci, another key indicator, met bathing standards in Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand, as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The statement came in response to questions from TMC MP Sayani Ghosh and Congress MP Murari Lal Meena. They raised concerns over faecal coliform levels in the Ganga, especially after reports of high contamination at Sangam (Prayagraj) during the recent Maha Kumbh.
Coliform bacteria, including faecal coliforms like E. coli, originate from human and animal waste. These bacteria indicate water contamination and potential health risks.
Earlier, a CPCB report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 3 presented alarming data. It showed that on January 20, faecal coliform levels reached 49,000, far exceeding safe limits. This finding led the NGT to reprimand the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board on February 17. The report sparked widespread debate, including in the Uttar Pradesh assembly. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, however, insisted that the water at Sangam was not just safe for bathing but also for drinking.
A later CPCB report, submitted to the NGT on February 28, painted a different picture. It confirmed that pH levels, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and faecal coliform levels at all monitored locations were within permissible limits for bathing.
The new data suggests that while earlier concerns were valid, water quality has since improved. However, periodic monitoring remains crucial to ensure public safety.
