NGT reservation order on sanitation issues in Maha Kumbh Mela, directs the government to take corrective measures, ET Healthworld

Nueva Delhi: The National Green Court (NGT) reserved its order on Monday in a petition that alleges that inadequate sanitation facilities in the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela have led to the open defecation along the banks of the Ganga River.

Meanwhile, the Bank of the Court led by its president Judge Prakash Shrivastava addressed the government of Uttar Pradesh and the authorities concerned to take immediate corrective measures.

Nipun Bhushan, the petitioner, through the plea has sought RS10 million rupees in environmental compensation of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, claiming that the State has not been able to prevent large -scale pollution due to bad sanitary provisions on the Kumbh site Mela.

The petition claimed that many people and families are forced to defecate openly along the edge of the Ganga River due to the lack of adequate facilities. To support his claim, Bhushan has provided videos as evidence.

In addition, the petition refers to a November 2024 water quality test that recorded fecal coliform levels in the Sangam downstream at 3,300 MPN (the most probable number) per 100 milliliters, exceeding the allowed limit of 2,500 MPN/ 100 ml established by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MOEFCC).

This level of pollution presents a risk of diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A and polyomyelitis to the millions of devotees who realize in the Ganges, argues the request.

The request also states that the State has breached its duty under article 48 of the Constitution, which requires the protection and improvement of the environment. Allow open mass defecation and not prevent contamination violates this constitutional obligation, it is presented.

Despite the official guarantees regarding the installation of Bio-Toilets, the petition alleges that thousands of pilgrims still lack access to clean or functional facilities and are obliged to defecate outdoors.