N4S: This article explores how religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh impact river pollution and why cleanup efforts often fall short. UPSC frequently asks questions on environmental pollution and mitigation (PYQ 2024, 2015), requiring aspirants to analyze causes, government measures, and long-term solutions. Many aspirants falter by giving generic answers or missing real-world case studies. This article helps bridge that gap with specific incidents (e.g., 2017 Ganga pollution, 2024 Yamuna coliform crisis), policy failures (e.g., underperforming STPs despite Namami Gange), and a forward-thinking approach (AI-based water monitoring, zero-liquid discharge for industries). One special feature of this article is its direct use of government data and judicial rulings (e.g., NGT’s 2024 order for real-time water monitoring). It equips aspirants to move beyond rote memorization and develop structured, analytical answers—exactly what UPSC demands.

PYQ Anchoring

Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. [GS 3, 2024]
The Namami Gange and National mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs? [GS 3,2015]

Microthemes: Environmental Pollution and Mitigation

“Take a dip in the Ganga, and your sins will be washed away.”– That’s the belief that brings millions of devotees to the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering. But while the faithful seek spiritual purification, the river itself ends up more polluted than ever.

In the last Maha Kumbh, a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the water at several locations in Prayagraj failed to meet even basic bathing standards. The culprit? Sky-high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, a clear sign of untreated sewage mixing into the river. And this isn’t a one-time problem—it happens every single time.

So, why does this keep happening? Have we learned anything from past disasters in India ? And more importantly, what can we do to fix it before the next Maha Kumbh?

About Faecal coliform contamination

Fecal coliform contamination basically means that traces of human or animal poop have mixed with the water. This happens when untreated sewage, waste from livestock, or even runoff from open defecation ends up in rivers or lakes.

Now, why is this a big deal? Because fecal coliform bacteria (like E. coli) are a warning sign that the water is carrying germs that can make people sick. If you bathe or drink this water, you could get diarrhea, stomach infections, skin rashes, or even more serious diseases like typhoid or hepatitis.

During events like the Maha Kumbh, where millions of people gather and take holy dips in the Ganga, the situation gets worse. More people means more waste, and if the sewage system can’t handle it, the river gets contaminated quickly.

Past incidents in India

ndia has been struggling with severe coliform contamination in its rivers, especially in major ones like the Ganga and Yamuna. Despite big cleanup drives and government programs, the problem refuses to go away. The main culprits? Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and weak enforcement of pollution laws.

Here’s a look at some of the worst-affected rivers, what’s been done to fix them, and why these efforts haven’t made a lasting impact.

Incident & Year	Steps Taken	Effectiveness & Challenges
Ganga River (2017) – High coliform levels at Sangam & Kanpur	Namami Gange Program: Strengthened sewage treatment infrastructure, set up STPs, and developed riverfronts.	Partial success – Some STPs improved local water quality, but untreated sewage discharge continued due to poor enforcement and inadequate sewage networks.
Yamuna River (2023) – Record fecal coliform levels at Asgarpur, Delhi exit point	Yamuna Action Plan (YAP-III): Treated 318 MLD of sewage and improved wastewater management.	Limited impact – Industrial discharge and stormwater drains continued polluting the river. Many STPs operated below capacity or failed due to maintenance issues.
Ganga River (2023) – Bihar stations reported 92,000 MPN/100ml fecal coliform levels	Ganga Jal Aapurti Yojana: Increased clean water supply and diverted contaminated water for treatment.	Little impact – Contamination persisted due to inadequate sewage disposal and poor monitoring of industrial waste dumping.
Yamuna River (2024) – 4.9 million MPN/100ml coliform in Delhi	Delhi Govt. Sewerage Revamp: Increased sewage treatment funding, sealed illegal drains, and introduced real-time water monitoring.	Marginal improvement – Illegal dumping and untreated sewage remained a major issue, keeping coliform levels high.
Post-Kumbh Events (Multiple years) – Large-scale contamination during mass gatherings	Temporary measures: Set up temporary STPs, released extra water from dams, and deployed pollution control teams.	Short-lived success – Water quality improved temporarily but deteriorated once the events ended due to continuous sewage inflow.

India’s Regulatory Framework to handle such mass gatherings// prelims

When millions of devotees gather at the banks of the Ganga for an event like the Maha Kumbh, ensuring clean and safe water becomes a massive challenge. To tackle this, different policies and measures come into play—from judicial rulings and government regulations to on-ground administrative actions. The following efforts work together to maintain water quality during such large-scale events :

Category	Steps taken
Judicial Directives	1. In December 2024, NGT ordered the UP government and CPCB to prevent untreated sewage and solid waste discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna during the 2025 Maha Kumbh. 2. NGT mandated real-time water quality monitoring, with results displayed publicly. 3. Tribunal emphasized maintaining bathing and drinking water quality during the event.
Regulatory Frameworks	1. CPCB establishes water quality guidelines, setting limits for pollutants like BOD and fecal coliform. 2. CPCB works with state pollution control boards to monitor adherence to these guidelines. 3. Special monitoring mechanisms are activated during mass gatherings like Maha Kumbh to prevent health risks.
Administrative Measures	Infrastructure Development: 1. 4,000-hectare tent city built for pilgrims. 2. 150,000 tents installed. 3. Equal number of portable toilets set up.
	Waste Management: 1. £720 million allocated for Maha Kumbh, a part of which was for waste disposal. 2. Dedicated solid waste management systems deployed. 3. Temporary treatment plants installed for sewage management.
	Monitoring & Enforcement: 1. UPPCB and CPCB tasked with monitoring water quality during the festival. 2. Water samples collected and analyzed at least twice a week. 3. Reports on water pollution publicly released to ensure transparency.

Reasons for failure of policies

Despite stringent policies, water pollution during the Maha Kumbh continues to be a major issue. The 6 major reasons for such a situation is :

Why River Clean-Up Efforts Fail?

Reason for Failure	What Happens?	Examples & Sources
Overwhelming Crowd Size	Too many people (sometimes over 100 million) overload toilets and sewage plants, leading to waste spilling into the river.	– In 2019, 122,500 portable toilets were set up, but poor maintenance led to open defecation. – STPs couldn’t handle the load, so untreated sewage flowed into the Ganga.
Weak Law Enforcement	Industries and households keep dumping waste into the river because penalties are weak and monitoring is poor.	– In 2019, UPPCB found 50+ illegal drains still polluting the Ganga. – Tanneries in Kanpur kept releasing waste despite NGT’s orders.
Lack of Coordination Among Agencies	Too many government bodies (CPCB, NGT, UPPCB, municipalities) work separately instead of together, delaying action.	– In 2013, mismanagement delayed cleanup efforts before Maha Kumbh. – In 2019, Prayagraj’s civic body blamed funding delays for waste mismanagement.
Failure of Sewage Treatment Infrastructure	Many sewage plants don’t work properly or aren’t used enough, allowing untreated waste to flow into the river.	– In 2019, some STPs in Prayagraj ran at only 60% efficiency. – NMCG reported that untreated sewage was still entering the river.
Religious and Cultural Practices	People throw offerings, ashes, and flowers into the river, thinking it’s self-purifying, but this worsens pollution.	– Large amounts of floral waste and ashes were found in the river after Maha Kumbh 2019. – Studies show rituals increase organic pollution.
Political and Administrative Apathy	Leaders focus on temporary fixes during big events instead of long-term river restoration.	– In 2019, ₹4,200 crore was spent on Maha Kumbh, but long-term Ganga clean-up got little funding. – Post-event clean-ups helped briefly, but pollution levels bounced back within weeks.

These failures indicate that while policies exist, their execution remains weak. Without long-term planning, stricter enforcement, and better infrastructure, water quality issues will persist in future Maha Kumbh gatherings.

Way Forward

Stronger Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure
- Invest in permanent, high-capacity sewage treatment plants (STPs) in cities hosting the Maha Kumbh.
- Upgrade old STPs to handle peak loads during mass gatherings.
Strict Industrial Regulation and Waste Management
- Implement zero-liquid discharge policies for industries near rivers.
- Enforce real-time effluent monitoring with strict penalties for violations.
Eco-Friendly Event Planning
- Mandate biodegradable materials for all event-related activities.
- Increase green zones and buffer areas along the riverbanks to prevent direct pollution.
Technology-Driven Monitoring
- Use AI-based sensors and satellite tracking for real-time water quality assessment.
- Set up a public dashboard displaying water pollution levels for transparency.
Year-Round River Conservation Plans
- Ensure consistent river cleaning projects before, during, and after the event.
- Integrate the Kumbh Mela planning with long-term river rejuvenation programs like Namami Gange.
Community Involvement & Behavioral Change
- Implement eco-volunteer programs to educate pilgrims on pollution control.
- Offer rewards/incentives for pilgrims who follow sustainable waste disposal practices.

By addressing these issues with a mix of policy, technology, and public participation, future Maha Kumbh events can be spiritually enriching without harming the environment.

#BACK2BASICS: MEASURING RIVER POLLUTION

River pollution is measured using a set of scientific parameters, primarily governed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). These parameters help determine whether the water is safe for drinking, bathing, or aquatic life.

Key Parameters to Measure River Pollution

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- BOD measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water.
- Safe Level: Below 3 mg/L is considered good; anything above 6 mg/L is highly polluted.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
- DO indicates the oxygen available for aquatic life. Low DO means the river is struggling with pollution.
- Safe Level: Above 5 mg/L is required for aquatic life. Below 3 mg/L is critical.
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
- These bacteria indicate contamination by human or animal waste.
- Safe Level: Below 500 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 mL for bathing; above 2500 MPN means severe pollution.
pH Levels
- pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of water.
- Safe Level: Between 6.5 and 8.5 for healthy water quality.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
- Indicates sediment and particulate matter that make water turbid and impact aquatic life.
- Safe Level: Less than 100 mg/L for general river health.

Who Monitors and Manages River Pollution?

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Sets national guidelines and monitors river water quality through its Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations (RTWQMS).
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): Responsible for enforcing water pollution norms at the state level.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Focuses on rejuvenating the Ganga under the Namami Gange Programme.

How is Data Collected?

Water samples are taken from monitoring stations set up across major rivers.
Laboratory analysis is done for parameters like BOD, DO, and fecal coliform.
Some locations have real-time sensors that continuously update pollution levels.

Despite these regulations, pollution spikes—especially during events like the Maha Kumbh—show that monitoring alone isn’t enough. Strict enforcement and better waste management systems are the real need of the hour.

PRACTICE QUESTION

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, but its environmental impact, particularly on river pollution, remains a concern. Assess whether India is learning from past mistakes in managing the environmental aspects of this event.

DEMAND OF THE QUESTION

The question demands an assessment of the environmental impact of the Maha Kumbh Mela, specifically focusing on river pollution, and evaluates whether lessons from past mistakes are being learned and applied in its management.