The water quality at Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, has come under scrutiny as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) declared it unfit for bathing due to high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels.
The revelation has stirred concerns among lakhs of devotees attending the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, where taking a holy dip in the Sangam is considered a key ritual. The month-long event, one of the largest religious congregations globally, attracts millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual purification through the sacred waters.
Why Is the Water Unfit for Bathing?
The CPCB report highlights that the water quality has deteriorated due to increasing BOD levels, a key indicator of organic pollution. The presence of faecal contamination further raises alarm about potential health risks for devotees.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) refers to the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic material in a water body. Higher BOD levels indicate increased organic pollution, which can threaten aquatic life and human health. For river water to be deemed safe for bathing, the BOD level should be below 3 milligrams per liter.
Alarming BOD Levels at Sangam
According to CPCB data, the Sangam water was initially deemed fit for bathing when the Maha Kumbh commenced on January 13, 2025, due to freshwater intrusion at upstream locations. On that day, the BOD level was recorded at 3.94 mg/L.
However, the latest readings paint a different picture. On February 16 at 5 AM, the BOD level was recorded at 5.09 mg/L, which slightly dropped to 4.6 mg/L on February 18 but surged again to 5.29 mg/L on February 19. These levels exceed the safe limit, raising concerns about water quality during peak bathing days of the Kumbh Mela.
Notably, on Makar Sankranti (January 14), the BOD level was at a safer 2.28 mg/L and further dropped to 1 mg/L the next day. Similarly, on Mauni Amavasya (January 29), one of the most sacred bathing occasions, the BOD was recorded at 3.26 mg/L—just within the safe range.
Yogi Adityanath Refutes Concerns
Despite the CPCB’s findings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed claims that the Sangam water is unfit for bathing. Addressing the state assembly on Wednesday, he asserted, “Questions are being raised about the quality of water at Triveni Sangam... All pipes and drains in and around the Sangam have been taped, and the water is being released only after purification.”
Contradicting CPCB data, Yogi Adityanath added, “As per today's reports, the amount of BOD near Sangam is less than 3, and the dissolved oxygen level is around 8-9. This means the Sangam water is suitable not just for bathing but also for 'Aachman' (ritual sipping of water).”
