Maha Kumbh 2025: Amid CPCB report of high faecal coliform levels, doctor reveals how bad the infection could be

A doctor has warned devotees visiting Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh to take the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam to be cautious about the health risks involved. Dr Dipshikha Ghosh stated on X that she was treating a patient with a severe lung infection from water from Kumbh having entered through her nostrils.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Doctors raise alarm over health risk

"She¡¯s not being able to breathe on her own now and has had to be ventilated and proned. Religion is important, yes, but please don¡¯t undermine science. Be aware. Be cautious," she said.

I have a patient right here with a severe lung infection from water from Kumbh having entered through her nostrils while she was taking a dip. She¡¯s not being able to breathe on her own now and has had to be ventilated and proned. Religion is important, yes, but please don¡¯t¡­ https://t.co/nMcevQIvfN

¡ª Doctor (@DipshikhaGhosh) February 18, 2025

Dr Ghosh was responding to Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, a Kerala-based hepatologist who had previously warned about the health risks of taking a dip in water which has high faecal coliform bacteria levels.

Dr Philips also shared a recent news report stating the high levels of faecal coliform in the water during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.

CPCB finds high levels of faecal coliform

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in its recent report to the National Green Tribunal's Principal Bench, revealed that high levels of faecal coliform (mixing of human or livestock excreta) were found in its river water testing at locations where people from across the nation are taking a dip during the Maha Kumbh.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Water not fit for bathing

The CPCB's report highlights that the river water failed to meet the primary water quality standards for bathing, particularly concerning faecal coliform (FC) levels, at all monitored locations during the event.

Faecal coliform, a marker of sewage contamination, has a permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The NGT bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, which was hearing the issue of preventing sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj, noted that the CPCB had filed a report dated February 3, pointing out certain non-compliances or violations.

"The river water quality was not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at all the monitored locations on various occasions. A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela, including on auspicious bathing days, which eventually leads to an increase in faecal concentration," the report said.

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