Patna: The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that Ganga water has not conformed to faecal coliform standards at 34 sampling sites in the state since 2020-21. This alarming report raises concerns about the river’s water quality, making it unfit for drinking and bathing.
High Bacterial Load in Ganga Water
The BSPCB’s submission follows a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which highlighted that faecal coliform levels in Ganga’s water at the Sangam during the Mahakumbh were significantly higher than permissible limits. This raised concerns as millions of devotees took a holy dip in the river during the event.
According to the pollution control board, high faecal coliform levels indicate severe bacterial contamination, rendering the water unsafe. The CPCB’s standards prescribe a lower limit of 500 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 ml for bathing and an upper limit of 2,500 MPN/100 ml. For drinking purposes, the prescribed standard is 5,000 MPN/100 ml after conventional treatment and disinfection.
Shocking Coliform Levels Found in Patna
In its affidavit dated March 17, the BSPCB reported that in locations such as Gaighat in Patna, coliform levels reached 1,60,000 MPN per 100 ml, nearly 300 times the permissible lower limit for bathing. The report emphasized that while pH levels and oxygen levels in the river were within acceptable standards, the total coliform and faecal coliform counts exceeded permissible limits.
Sewage Pollution: A Major Cause
The BSPCB attributed the high bacterial contamination to the discharge of untreated household sewage from urban areas into the river. The report stated, “The total coliform (TC) and faecal coliform (FC) levels exceed the prescribed standards as household sewage from urban areas is being discharged into the Ganga without prior treatment.”
To address this issue, several Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under construction in various cities, including Patna, Barh, Munger, Sonpur, Sultanpur, Maner, Naugachhia, Chapra, Danapur, and Phulwari Sharif.
NGT’s Concern Over STP Capacity
The NGT, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, is hearing a suo motu case based on news reports about Ganga’s deteriorating water quality in Bihar.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) had earlier estimated that Bihar generates 1,100 million litres per day of sewage, but the existing STPs can treat only 343 million litres per day. The NGT noted that more than 750 million litres of untreated sewage is being discharged into the Ganga daily, exacerbating the pollution crisis.
No Immediate Directives Issued
During the latest hearing on Monday, the NGT reviewed the BSPCB’s submissions but did not pass any new directions. Previously, the tribunal criticized the slow pace of STP construction and urged the NMCG to take stricter action to ensure water quality improvements.
The worsening condition of the Ganga in Bihar underscores the urgent need for accelerated sewage treatment infrastructure and stringent pollution control measures. As authorities deliberate over solutions, millions of residents remain at risk due to the river’s deteriorating quality.
