As pure 'as alkaline water': UP quotes scientist on Sangam water

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday issued a release, quoting a scientist to "debunk doubts" about the purity of Ganga water at the Maha Kumbh and assert that the river water is as pure "as alkaline water."

According to UP government figures, over 58 crore people have taken a dip in the sacred waters of Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj since January 13, when the religious fair started.

The UP government release was in reference to the Central Pollution Control Board data flagging doubts on the Ganga water quality at the Maha Kumbh.

"Padma Shri Dr. Ajay Kumar Sonkar, a renowned scientist, has challenged sceptics and debunked doubts about Ganga's purity with scientific evidence," stated the government release.

The UP government release stated that Dr Sonkar collected water samples from five major bathing ghats, including Sangam Nose and Arail in Maha Kumbh Nagar.

"These samples were then subjected to microscopic examination in his laboratory. To his surprise, despite crores of devotees bathing in the river, there was no bacterial growth or decline in the water's pH level," the release stated.

According to the government release, Dr. Sonkar's research revealed that Ganga water contains 1,100 types of bacteriophages -- natural viruses that eliminate harmful bacteria.

"This self-purifying mechanism ensures that the river remains uncontaminated even after 57 crore devotees have taken a dip," the release stated.

The controversy over the quality of water started days after a CPCB report suggested that the biological oxygen demand of river water at Sangam was 3.94 milligrams per litre on January 13, when the Maha Kumbh started.

It improved to 2.28 milligrams per litre on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and further dropped to 1 milligram per litre on January 15. However, it rose to 4.08 milligrams per litre on January 24 and was recorded at 3.26 milligrams per litre on Mauni Amavasya (January 29).

BOD refers to the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a water body. A higher BOD level indicates more organic content in the water. River water is considered fit for bathing if the BOD level is less than 3 milligrams per litre.

This BOD level at Sangam was 5.09 milligrams per litre at 5 am on January 16. It was recorded at 4.6 milligrams per litre at 5 pm on January 18 and 5.29 milligrams per litre at 8 am on January 19 (Wednesday).

In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on February 3, the CPCB said the river water quality did not meet bathing standards during monitoring on January 12-13 at most locations in Prayagraj.

However, the government release suggested otherwise.

"Dr Sonkar confirmed that the river's pH level, ranging between 8.4 and 8.6, is better than normal and that no foul smell or bacterial growth was detected," the government stated in the release.

"No harmful bacteria developed after incubating the water samples for 14 hours," according to the release.

"He (Dr. Sonkar) has openly challenged sceptics to accompany him to the ghats, collect water samples and verify their purity in the laboratory. Despite over 58 crore people bathing in the river during the Maha Kumbh, Ganga water remains naturally disease-free due to its inherent purifying properties," the release stated.

"Dr Sonkar highlighted a significant aspect of the Maha Kumbh -- how Ganga water was portrayed as highly polluted even before the event began. He questioned these claims, stating that if the river were indeed contaminated, there would have been a global outcry by now, with hospitals overwhelmed by patients," the release added.

Professor Venkatesh Dutta, who heads the Department of Environmental Science at Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, told PTI that Ganga water is not static but is constantly flowing.

"I wouldn't be able to hazard a guess any which way on the quality of the Ganga water as of now. All that I can say is type; time of sampling also matters a lot," Dutta said.

Akhilesh dares BJP leaders to drink, cook with Sangam water

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Thursday claimed there was a discrepancy between data of Uttar Pradesh and central agencies on the quality of Ganga water at the Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh and dared BJP leaders to drink, cook and bathe in it.

The Central Pollution Control Board recently told the National Green Tribunal that several locations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj do not conform to the primary water quality standards for bathing with respect to faecal coliform levels.

Government data shows that the river water at Sangam is currently exceeding the safe limit for biological oxygen demand as well. BOD refers to the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a water body. A higher BOD level indicates more organic content in the water.

Taking a dig at the BJP dispensations in the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said, "Both engines of the double-engine government are colliding."

"Delhi and Lucknow are at odds. The Uttar Pradesh government refuses to accept Delhi's data and presents its own figures. If we cite Delhi's statistics and this government doesn't acknowledge them, does that mean Delhi officials are not Sanatanis?" he asked sarcastically.

"Every BJP leader should receive a tank filled with Sangam water so they can cook, bathe and even drink it as medicine when needed. Will the BJP accept this?" the SP chief posed sarcastically.

He told party MLA Kamal Akhtar, "If the BJP leaders refuse, I suggest you bring a bottle of Sangam water to the assembly and ask them to drink it."

"Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath doesn't even know where the bacteria comes from. It originates from filth. He doesn't understand BOD or COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)," Yadav said.

Adityanath on Wednesday stated in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that reports have suggested the water at Sangam during Maha Kumbh was fit for bathing and 'Aachman' (ritual drinking).

His assertion came close on the heels of reports that suggested the water contained faecal bacteria and total coliform bacteria in limits not fit for bathing or rituals.

Yadav accused the BJP of politicising the Kumbh Mela, claiming that many seers were disappointed due to inadequate arrangements. "For the first time in history, Kumbh has been politicised. Religion is not meant for profit-making," he said.

Slamming Adityanath for his statement that the Maha Kumbh would generate Rs 3.5 lakh crore in business, Yadav said, "Religion is about service, but they are treating it as business. For the first time, politics has entered religion."

He also condemned the BJP for removing a statue of Harshavardhan, a seventh-century Rajput emperor of Kannauj who was instrumental in organizing grand Kumbh gatherings. "If we get the chance, we will reinstall his statue in the Kumbh area," the SP chief said.

Referring to the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh during holy bathing on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Yadav said, "The STF said in its investigation that it was a conspiracy."

"They tracked 16,000 mobile phones at the time. If we assume 32,000 people were present, or even 50,000, why is the government downplaying the numbers?"

"Wasn't this supposed to be a digital Kumbh? How did the CCTV cameras stop working? Where is the footage? What were the drones doing when the stampede occurred? The CAG report from the last Kumbh revealed fake drones were used. More investigations will expose what actually happened in this Kumbh," the Samajwadi party chief said.