NGT Seeks Response From UP Government On Plea Alleging Open Defecation At Maha Kumbh Mela Site

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response from Uttar Pradesh government (UP) on a plea filed seeking action against lack of proper toilet facility which has led to open defecation in the Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025 at Prayagraj.

Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthi Vet said, "Issue notice to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next hearing date... If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate, the respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal."

The plea filed by Nipun Bhushan stated that a claim has been made by the local authorities that they have installed countless state-of- the-art bio-toilets to handle huge amounts of human waste including faeces and urine, but there are incidences of open defecation due to lack of functional or clean bio-toilets.

The application alleged that lakhs of ordinary people and families are forced to defecate in open on the bank of the river Ganga for want of adequate facilities.

In support of the plea taken in the application, the Applicant enclosed the pendrive containing the videos clips of open defecation in the river.

Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has filed a report before the National Green Tribunal's Principal Bench revealing concerning findings regarding the river water quality at Prayagraj (UP) during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

It was reported that high levels of faecal coliform (mixing of human or livestock excreta) were found in its river water testing at locations where people from across the nation are taking a dip during the Maha Kumbh.

Title: Nipun Bhushan v. Government of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.

Click here to read/download the order