The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious concerns about the potential health risks to millions of pilgrims expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela. It warned that untreated sewage entering the Ganga River could endanger public health if immediate measures are not taken.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a major religious festival that attracts millions of devotees from across the globe. Scheduled to begin on January 14 with the Makar Sankranti holy bath, the event will conclude on February 26 with another sacred dip on Mahashivratri.
Maha Kumbh Mela: Sewage Pollution in the Ganga
A petition filed with the NGT revealed that 50 drains discharge untreated sewage into an 8-kilometer stretch of the Ganga between Rasulabad and the Sangam. The Sangam, a confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, holds immense spiritual significance. This pollution threatens not only the safety of the pilgrims but also the sanctity of the event.
In September, the NGT established a high-powered committee (HPC) led by Uttar Pradesh’s chief secretary to address the problem. The committee was instructed to submit its findings by November 23. However, during a November 29 hearing, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the committee had failed to deliver the report or formally request an extension.
Maha Kumbh Mela: Delays and Administrative Errors
The tribunal highlighted lapses in communication and action. It pointed out that the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary’s November 28 letter requesting more time to file the report contained a typing error. Despite the NGT’s directive in September, effective steps to address the issue appeared to have been delayed until early November.
Emphasizing the urgency, the tribunal stated that untreated sewage must be stopped from entering the Ganga before the festival begins. It stressed that the health and well-being of millions of attendees would be compromised without immediate intervention.
The NGT expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s request for an additional 15 days to submit the report. Justice Shrivastava questioned the delay, especially since the report was reportedly prepared and pending the chief secretary’s review. The tribunal granted the government one more week to file the report.
While considering summoning the state’s environment principal secretary, the tribunal refrained, relying instead on assurances from government counsel for swift action. The matter will be reviewed again on December 9.
Maha Kumbh Mela: Ganga Water Quality Concerns
In a July hearing, the NGT referred to a report by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, which indicated that water in the affected stretch of the Ganga was unsuitable for drinking or religious rituals such as achman (sipping).
The plea, filed by advocate Saurabh Tiwary, underscores the need for urgent steps to stop untreated sewage from polluting the river. The tribunal reiterated that addressing this issue is vital for safeguarding the health of pilgrims and preserving the spiritual integrity of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
