Ensure Water Quality Of Rivers At Prayagraj Is Maintained For Pilgrims Of Kumbh Mela: NGT To State Authorities

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State authorities to ensure that water quality of Ganga-Yamuna rivers for pilgrims of Kumbh mela which is to be organized in 2024-25 at Uttar Pradesh's Prayraj is maintained to the level of drinking water quality.

Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel while granting eight weeks time to the State for filing progress report, directed that, "The concerned Authorities will ensure that the water quality of rivers is maintained to the level of drinking quality and its suitability is displayed to pilgrims/visitors of the Kumbh Mela at various bathing ghats." 

The Tribunal was hearing an application raising grievances related to discharge of sewage into the river Ganga and Yamuna and the consequential pollution in the River especially in reference to the Kumbh Mela which is to be organized in 2024-25.

In pursuance of NGT's previous direction the joint Committee filed a report containing the details of the untapped drains joining river Ganga and Yamuna, the details of the tapped drains, STPs with their capacity utilization, the sewage network and the gap analysis.

Perusing the report the Tribunal noted, "there are as many as 44 untapped drains which are discharging untreated sewage water in river Ganga. The report further reveals that there are total 81 drains in the city and these 81 drains are discharging 289.97 MLD of sewage and that the sewage received through sewerage network in the existing 10 STPs is 178.31 MLD. The untapped drains are discharging 73.80 MLD and the gap in the treatment capacity is 128.28 MLD."

It noted further that, the report does not reflect that during the forthcoming Kumbh Mela any effective progress will be made "to prevent the discharge of 73.80 MLD untreated sewage in river Ganga through the untapped drains which are 44 in number."

While pointing out several shortcomings in the report, the Tribunal said, "Having regard to the fact that pilgrims/visitors of the Kumbh Mela will be taking bath in river Ganga/Yamuna and will be using their water for drinking etc. we are of the view that all possible effective and expeditious steps are required to be taken and a time bound action plan is required to be prepared to ensure minimum discharge/stoppage of discharge of sewage in river Ganga/Yamuna before the commencement of the Kumbh Mela."

In the light of the above, NGT granted further eight weeks' time to the UP government to file a further report reflecting the progress.

The matter is listed for September 23, for further consideration.

Kamlesh Singh v. State of UP

Mr. Ankit Verma, Adv. with Mr. Surendar Singh, Project Manager, UP Jal Nigam (Rural), Prayagran, UP

Mr. Gigi. C. George, Adv. for NMCG

Click here to read/download the order