Additionally, the government announced that it had given the National Mission for Clean ganga (NMCG) a total of Rs 7,421 crore to clean the river in 2022–2023; 2023–2024; and 2024–2025 (till march 9).
BOD quantifies the amount of oxygen required to decompose organic matter, DO denotes the amount of oxygen in water, and FC is a sign of sewage contamination. These are important markers of the quality of the water.
On february 28, however, the CPCB presented a revised report to the tribunal, stating that statistical analysis indicated the water quality during the maha Kumbh was suitable for swimming.
According to the report, the "variability of data" in samples taken from the same places on different dates—and even from different locations on the same day—made statistical analysis necessary. According to the statement, the samples did not accurately represent the "overall river water quality throughout the river stretch" because of this unpredictability.
In order to guarantee adherence to the main water quality standards, the NGT ordered on december 23, 2024, in the matter of "Kamlesh Singh vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others" that routine water quality monitoring of the ganga and yamuna be carried out at regular intervals throughout the maha Kumbh.
According to Yadav, the CPCB responded to this directive by conducting water quality monitoring twice a week at seven sites, including Sangam nose (where the ganga and yamuna meet), from Shringverpur Ghat (upstream of Prayagraj) to Deehaghat (downstream). Auspicious bathing (Amrit Snan) days were monitored starting on january 12.
On february 3, the CPCB sent the NGT its first monitoring report, which contained information on water quality gathered from january 12 to january 26, 2025. According to Yadav, the report also contained monitoring data from seven geosynthetic dewatering tubes (geo-tubes) used for filtering and ten sewage treatment plants (STPs) situated in Prayagraj.
In order to improve the availability of water quality data, the CPCB later expanded the number of monitoring locations to ten and started testing twice a day on february 21.
According to the minister, ten STPs were set up by the Uttar Pradesh government for the maha Kumbh to treat wastewater and make sure that the effluents fulfilled environmental requirements before being released. In order to temporarily treat wastewater from 21 untapped sewers, seven geo-tubes were also erected.
The mela region was equipped with three fecal sludge treatment plants with a combined capacity of 200 KLD and three prefabricated temporary STPs, each having a 500 KLD capacity.
According to Yadav, UP Jal Nigam cleaned wastewater using cutting-edge oxidation processes to keep untreated water out of the Ganga. A sufficient number of toilets and urinals were set up across the mela area to accommodate the large number of pilgrims. Dustbins with liner bags were also placed strategically for waste disposal, he said.
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