Water quality at Sangam gets affected during Kumbh: Government

NEW DELHI: Water quality of Ganga and Yamuna rivers gets affected at Sangam in Allahabad due to mass bathing during Kumbh and other religious activities, apart from discharge of sewage, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and UP State Pollution Control Board monitor the water quality at identified locations at Sangam in Allahabad during Kumbh Mela to ensure that it meets with the bathing norms.

"Water quality of Ganga and Yamuna rivers gets affected at Sangam because of mass bathing and other religious activities apart from discharge of sewage (partially treated/untreated) from Allahabad city," he said.

To ensure that water quality at Sangam meets with the bathing norms, the Minister said that CPCB along with SPCBs, conducts intensive monitoring of the tributaries/ sub-tributaries of river Ganga and the industrial discharge into these water bodies, he added.

Banning polythene use during Kumbh, mass awareness to avoid offering of flowers and control of sewage discharges into the river are among the steps taken to maintain the water quality at Sangam, the Minister further said.