Maha Kumbh: Yogi Adityanath rejects faecal bacteria report, says Sangam water fit for holy dip | India News

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has dismissed reviews of faecal bacteria within the Maha Kumbh waters.

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday dismissed reviews of faecal bacteria within the Maha Kumbh waters, calling them an try to malign the spiritual gathering. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister asserted that Sangam water was completely fit for taking holy dip.

‘Sangam water appropriate not simply for bathing but in addition for Aachman’

“Questions are being raised about the quality of the water (at Triveni). All the pipes and the drains in and around Sangam have been taped and the water is being released only after purification. The UP Pollution Control Board is continuously monitoring the water to maintain its quality. As per today’s reports, the amount of BOD near Sangam is less than 3, and the dissolved oxygen is around 8-9. This means that the Sangam water is suitable not just for bathing but also for ‘Aachman,’ CM Adityanath said in assembly reacting to reports of faecal bacteria in water.
“The causes for elevated faecal coliform might be a number of, resembling sewage leakage and animal waste, however the quantity of faecal coliform in Prayagraj is, as per the requirements, lower than 2,500 MPN per 100 ml. This signifies that the false marketing campaign is simply to defame the Maha Kumbh. The NGT has additionally stated that the faecal waste was lower than 2000 MPN per 100 ml,” he added.
“This occasion is just not organized by any occasion or authorities—it belongs to society. We are solely facilitators. Seven days of the competition stay, and as of this afternoon, 56 crore 26 lakh devotees have taken a holy dip on the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj,” Adityanath said and added “It is our success that our authorities received the chance to affiliate with the Maha Kumbh of this century.”

Earlier, a CPCB report, submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), revealed that total coliform levels had reached 700,000 MPN/100ml in the Ganga and 330,000 MPN/100ml in the Yamuna—far exceeding the permissible limit of 500 MPN/100ml for bathing. These findings, based on samples collected from January 12 to 19, led the NGT to summon UP government authorities.
The tribunal noted that such contamination could pose serious public health risks, including waterborne diseases, and ordered the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to submit a compliance report. It also summoned the board’s member secretary and other state officials to appear virtually in the next hearing on February 19.

Condolences over Maha Kumbh tragedies

Referring to the January 29 stampede and other accidents involving devotees, Adityanath expressed condolences to the victims’ families. “We pay tribute to those that misplaced their lives and stand with their households. However, it’s not acceptable to politicize such incidents,” he said.
Adityanath also hit out at critics and said, “When we make baseless allegations or unfold pretend movies in opposition to Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, or the Maha Kumbh, it’s like enjoying with the religion of 56 crore folks.” As the Maha Kumbh enters its remaining week, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister emphasised that the occasion had garnered international participation, dismissing what he referred to as false campaigns in opposition to it.