New Delhi: After the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported excessive levels of faecal coliform (FC) in the waters of the Sangam (the confluence of three rivers) at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, along with claims of people experiencing respiratory issues, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh stated that the sludge treatment plants set up by the government in the region are “preventing havoc.”
Speaking at the 12th edition of the International Health Dialogue 2025, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology said, “Using nuclear technology, we (the government) have set up faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) that are processing 1-1.5 million liters of liquid faecal sludge in the region, preventing hygiene disruptions and disease outbreaks, which could have otherwise caused significant havoc by now.”
“The FSTPs are among the first of their kind, managing on-site sewage disposal for around 50-60 crore people. They are also converting waste into an inert liquid that can be used for gardening and irrigation—an advancement that only India has pioneered,” he added.
The senior minister’s remarks come just days after the CPCB informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that faecal coliform levels at all monitored locations in Prayagraj were above the permissible limit and did not conform to primary water quality standards for bathing.
“The river water quality did not meet the primary water quality standards for bathing with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at all monitored locations on various occasions between January 13-29 this year,” the CPCB stated in its report.
Regarding the causes of elevated FC levels in the water, the CPCB explained, “A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela, particularly on auspicious bathing days, leading to an increase in faecal concentration.”
Additionally, a social media post from an account named Dr. Dipshikha Ghosh went viral, claiming that a woman who took a dip in the water at the Kumbh was diagnosed with a severe lung infection and had to be put on a ventilator as she was unable to breathe on her own.
“I have a patient here with a severe lung infection caused by water from the Kumbh entering her nostrils while she was taking a dip. She’s unable to breathe on her own and has had to be ventilated and placed in the prone position. Religion is important, yes, but please don’t undermine science. Be aware. Be cautious,” the post reads.
Earlier, in response to media queries regarding the CPCB report and concerns raised by several lawmakers, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil stated that the Namami Gange project has successfully cleaned the river and that the water is suitable for bathing and drinking, with pollution levels within acceptable limits.
According to the central body responsible for pollution management in the country, the permissible limit of faecal coliform in water is 2,500 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml), while the desirable limit is 500 MPN/100 ml.
A research study published in The Lancet defines faecal coliform as a subset of coliform bacteria present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. They are used as an indicator of faecal contamination in water and other products due to sewage or animal waste, which can contribute to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid.
Faecal sludge is a combination of solid and liquid waste that accumulates in onsite sanitation systems, such as septic tanks and pit latrines. To ensure proper disposal during the Mahakumbh, the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban) has established three temporary sewage treatment plants (STPs) with assistance from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Public health experts raise alarm on the faecal contamination at Mahakumbh and point the critical concerns about public health and government accountability. While officials tout faecal sludge treatment plants as a solution, real-time reports of respiratory illnesses and severe infections tell a different story. Faith should not come at the cost of safety, and the government must urgently address whether its interventions are truly effective or just a smokescreen for an unfolding public health disaster.
As millions continue to take the holy dip, the question remains—will action come before crisis, or will devotion be drowned in disease?
