MahaKumbh 2025: BOD level high in Ganga water’s is it safe to take a bath?

Mahakumbh is held every 12 years in Prayagraj, in which lakhs of devotees come to take a bath in the confluence of Ganga. During this time, many questions arise on the purity and quality of Ganga water. Now the same situation remains in the Maha Kumbh of 2025. Is Ganga water really completely pure, and is it safe for bathing? Let us know what the problem with the water of Ganga this time is too and whether this water is safe for the devotees or not.

Know the condition of Ganga water

As of 14 January 2025, more than 2.50 crore devotees had taken a dip in the Sangam in Maha Kumbh. If you have ever visited Maha Kumbh or are planning to visit, then you should know some important things about the purity of Ganga water. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued an order in December 2024, stating that Ganga water should be suitable for bathing and drinking. But is this really happening?

Situation did not improve even after the NGT order

The NGT had ordered that there should be adequate availability of Ganga water in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh and its quality should be such that people can bathe in it and also drink it. But reports say that there has been no significant change in Ganga water. The water quality in some streams of Sangam remains very poor, which shows that the problem of pollution still persists.

What is BOD and why does it matter so much?

The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) used a real-time monitoring system to measure the quality of Ganga water on January 14. According to this, the level of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) at Sangam was 4 mg per ml that day, which was more than the normal limit of 3 mg per ml. High BOD means there is more organic pollution in the water, and this means that the quality of water is not good.

When the BOD level is high, it means that there are more pollutants and dirt in the water. It shows the amount of organic matter present inside the water, which can be harmful to human health. And if you are bathing in the Ganges, then this pollution can reach your body. This is the reason why the quality of Ganga water is monitored to ensure that it is safe for bathing.

Monitoring of water quality at Sangam

The quality of Ganga water in Prayagraj is monitored 24 hours a day. Its main purpose is to give correct information to the devotees about the kind of water they are bathing in. The NGT had ordered that information about the quality of Ganga water should be given at all times. A platform was also created for this, but this platform is not working properly. This is the reason why devotees are not able to get the right information.

Questions were raised on water quality in 2019 Kumbh as well

This is not the first time that questions have been raised on the quality of Ganga water. The quality of Ganga water was not good in 2019 Kumbh as well. According to the CPCB report, even at that time the amount of BOD and fecal coliform (stomach bacteria) was found to be high in the water of Ganga. The report also said that the water of Sangam was not good according to the standards on some major bathing occasions.

Is there any hope of improvement?

In big events like Maha Kumbh, lakhs of devotees bathe together, which increases the level of pollution in the water. If this problem is not solved, it can not only pose a threat to the health of the devotees but can also harm the entire ecosystem of Ganga. Therefore, it is important that the quality of Ganga water is improved, and people are given correct information about it.

It is important to pay attention to sewage and water cleanliness

According to the Pollution Control Board, better sewage management and STP (sewage treatment plant) are needed to improve the water quality in Ganga. Without this, there will be no improvement in the quality of Ganga water. The government and the concerned authorities should pay attention to this, so that in future Ganga water can be safe and pure for the devotees.

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