Maha Kumbh Faecal Bacteria row: NGT slams UPPCB over ‘old samples’, says ‘wasting our time’

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 19 slammed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) as it submitted a report to the tribunal of old water samples taken from the Sangam at Prayagraj. 

The NGT pointed out saying that the samples taken for the report by the UPPCB were from January 12. “Why have you filed such a huge document then? To waste our time?” the NGT slammed the UPPCB. However, in response, the Additional Advocate General representing the UPPCB informed the tribunal that they have recent water samples and will submit them along with an action-taken report within a week.

This comes amid the time when a shocking report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) came to light showing ‘faecal coliform’ bacteria in alarming levels in the Sangam waters in the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela.

Faecal coliform, a marker of sewage contamination, has a permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Coming back to the UPPCB report, in its affidavit submitted to the tribunal, the UPPCB defended the water quality, stating that the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna, except near one bridge, met the required bathing water quality standards.