Kumbh 2025 is upon us, and millions of devotees are converging at the Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati has been a spiritual epicenter for centuries. With an estimated 45 crore participants, this year’s Kumbh is set to be one of the largest gatherings in history. However, as millions step into the sacred waters, it is important to confront an uncomfortable truth: our sacred rivers are in crisis, beneath the spiritual aura lies an alarming reality—the Ganga, revered as a lifeline, is now brimming with dangerous levels of bacterial contamination. A recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed that the water quality has been severely compromised, posing a grave health hazard to millions.
The CPCB's latest submission to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) confirms that high levels of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) were found in the river where devotees took their holy dip. The presence of these bacteria is a clear indicator of sewage contamination, making the water unfit for bathing and exposing devotees to serious health risks, including gastrointestinal infections and skin diseases.
“River water quality was not conforming with the primary water quality for bathing with reference to Faecal Coliform [FC] at all the monitored locations on various occasions. The huge number of people taking bath at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela in the river, including on auspicious bathing days, eventually led to an increase in faecal concentration,” the CPCB report stated.
On February 4, faecal coliform levels in the Ganga reached 11,000 MPN/100ml near Shastri Bridge and 7,900 MPN/100ml at Sangam, far exceeding the recommended maximum of 2,500 MPN/100ml. The Yamuna, too, showed alarming levels of 4,900 MPN/100ml near the Old Naini Bridge before it merges with the Ganga.
The implications are grave. Contaminated water not only endangers the health of millions who take a ritual dip but also affects local communities who rely on these rivers for drinking water and irrigation. Farmers often use polluted streams for their fields, exposing themselves and consumers to waterborne diseases.
A 2004 committee set up by the Ministry of Urban Development had set a desirable faecal coliform limit at 500 MPN/100ml, with a maximum threshold of 2,500 MPN/100ml. Yet, two decades later, cities still struggle with managing sewage effectively. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment bluntly states that “not a single city in India has been able, in entirety, to deal with its sewage problem.”
Adding to the chaos, reports of stampedes and overcrowding have marred the event, raising concerns over public safety and administrative failure. Despite the government’s assurances of effective crowd control and sanitation measures, the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. Experts argue that the failure to implement adequate waste treatment strategies before and during the Kumbh Mela has only aggravated the crisis.
The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel, took cognizance of the alarming water quality report while hearing a plea regarding the deteriorating condition of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj.
With more pilgrims expected to arrive in the coming weeks, experts fear the situation could worsen. “If immediate remedial measures are not taken, the risk of waterborne diseases spreading among devotees is high,” an environmental expert warned. The CPCB has urged authorities to enforce strict waste management protocols and ensure that sewage treatment plants function effectively to prevent further contamination.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, ‘Environmental Footprints of Mass Bathing on Water Quality of River Ganga during Kumbh Mela’,highlighted the impact of the 2019 Kumbh Mela, which saw 130.2 million participants, on the Ganga's water quality. At Karsar Ghat, BOD and fecal coliform levels were above acceptable limits, with BOD higher in the morning than in the evening on key bathing days. On Mahashivaratri and afterward, fecal coliform levels exceeded standards both morning and evening.
At the Sangam, water quality monitoring showed that while dissolved oxygen (DO) met bathing standards at all times, pH (6 times), BOD (16 times in the morning, 15 in the evening), and fecal coliform (6 times) often failed to meet standards. Conductivity at the Sangam is currently 704 microsiemens/cm, within the acceptable range, but may worsen as river discharge decreases.
According to 2023 data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), pollution levels in the Ganga exceeded safe limits at 90 out of 150 monitoring stations. The river continues to suffer from industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff, which contribute to its declining water quality.
The Yamuna—particularly in Delhi—paints an even bleaker picture. Toxic foam caused by untreated wastewater and high ammonia levels often blankets the river, making it unfit for any use, let alone bathing or drinking. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has repeatedly warned about the hazardous conditions of the Yamuna, with its waters containing dangerously high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and coliform bacteria.
For centuries, the Ganga and Yamuna have been lifelines for India, nourishing not just the land but also the culture, livelihoods, and faith of millions. Yet today, their sanctity is overshadowed by severe pollution. Despite massive investments like the Namami Gange program—a flagship initiative launched in 2014—large stretches of the Ganga remain polluted. Over ₹20,000 crores have been spent on cleaning the river, but the results are far from satisfactory.
Polluted rivers are not just an environmental concern; they pose a serious public health risk. Contaminated water from the Ganga and Yamuna is a breeding ground for waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis. According to a 2022 report by the CPCB, river pollution in India accounts for over 70% of waterborne illnesses, disproportionately affecting rural and urban poor populations.
The NGT’s warnings underscore the gravity of the situation. Bathing in these rivers can lead to skin diseases, gastrointestinal infections, and other health complications. With millions of devotees expected to take a dip during the Kumbh, the risk of a public health crisis looms large.
The Namami Gange project promised a comprehensive solution to the Ganga’s woes, focusing on sewage treatment, riverfront development, and rural sanitation. While there have been improvements in some areas, the program has struggled with delays, lack of coordination, and insufficient enforcement of pollution control measures. Similarly, efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna have been undermined by bureaucratic hurdles and inadequate infrastructure for wastewater treatment.
The Kumbh is not just a religious gathering; it is a celebration of faith, unity, and the enduring relationship between humans and nature. But as we immerse ourselves in the sacred waters, we must ask: Are we leaving these rivers better or worse than before? Scientific studies suggest that large-scale events like the Kumbh add significant pressure to already fragile ecosystems. Increased human activity leads to a surge in waste and pollutants entering the rivers, exacerbating their degradation. Without urgent intervention, the future of these rivers—and the festivals that celebrate them—is at stake.
As rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna approach critical levels of degradation, a grim possibility emerges: the celebration of river festivals may one day occur without actual rivers. The Ganga and Yamuna are more than just rivers; they are the lifeblood of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. As we celebrate Kumbh 2025, let it also be a moment of introspection. Saving our sacred rivers requires collective action, unwavering commitment, and a sense of responsibility that transcends religious rituals. If we fail to act now, the celebrations of today might become a distant memory for future generations—a river festival without rivers. Let us strive to ensure that these rivers continue to flow, nurture, and inspire for generations to come.