Yogi Government’s Deceit Continues; Green Protesters Slam It for Submitting an Old Report on River Pollution
Yesterday’s Samples Spark Today’s Uproar
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Kumbh Mela is underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. During this festival, an accident occurred on a no-moon night involving a mishap (the details of which remain murky) that the Yogi government chose to cover up. The true figures regarding the dead, injured, and missing from that incident were never disclosed. In addition, the heavy traffic congestion and mismanagement in Prayagraj sparked the anger of the devotees. Now, yet another act of deception by the Yogi government has come to light: the Green Protesters have strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for submitting an affidavit on the pollution of the Triveni Sangam based on outdated water samples.
At Prayagraj, with a large number of devotees gathered for the Kumbh Mela, the Green Protesters had demanded a report on water pollution and water quality based on recent samples from the area. However, the Yogi government presented an affidavit on the water quality of the Sangam River that relied on old samples. In response, the National Green Tribunal has sharply reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
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According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the water at the Sangam showed high levels of faecal bacteria. By contrast, the report submitted by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to the National Green Tribunal claimed that the water quality was excellent and met the required standards. Nevertheless, the Tribunal has criticized the state agency for relying on an affidavit based on outdated samples.
The CPCB report has raised serious questions about the rising levels of pollution. Against this backdrop, the Green Protesters have directed their criticism at the Yogi government. It has been observed that the water at the Triveni Sangam—where devotees are currently bathing during the Kumbh Mela—contains high bacterial counts.
In the affidavit submitted to the court, the UP Pollution Control Board maintained that the water quality was excellent. The report stated that, except for an area near a bridge on one of the ghats, the water in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers met the bathing quality standards. However, the Green Protesters point out that the samples used for this report were taken on January 12. They have questioned, “Why submit documents based on such old samples? Why waste our time?” In response, the state Pollution Control Board was sharply rebuked by the protesters.
Additional counsels from the UP Pollution Control Board informed the protesters that they possess more recent water samples and that these would be recorded within a week. They also noted that although the affidavit included the report based on old samples, water samples are being collected regularly.
The Uttar Pradesh government stated in a press conference that it would conduct a thorough investigation into all the discrepancies raised in the CPCB report and take appropriate action. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has denied the reports of poor water quality in Prayagraj, dismissing them as mere propaganda by the opposition regarding water pollution. He further claimed that the water in the river at the Kumbh Mela is fit for bathing.
The recent CPCB report also claimed that during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the water quality at various locations failed to meet the basic standards for bathing because of high levels of faecal coliform- a key indicator of sewage contamination. The report further stated that at several monitored sites, the water repeatedly failed to meet the primary standards related to faecal coliform levels.
