The Selective Sanctity of the Ganga

While India's National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) declared just days ago that scientific data now proves the sacred Ganga River is getting cleaner, meeting bathing standards across most stretches, the stark reality on the ground—and a recent High Court ruling on religious sentiments—paints a far more complex picture of 'selective sanctity'. Despite claims of improved water quality, significant challenges persist, particularly from untreated sewage and industrial discharge, highlighting a deep disconnect between official pronouncements and the river's enduring environmental crisis. Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for 2025 indicates pH and dissolved oxygen levels meet bathing criteria at most locations, with biomonitoring in 2024-25 showing predominantly 'Good' to 'Moderate' biological water quality. Yet, critical stretches in Uttar Pradesh, notably around Kanpur, continue to violate bathing standards, grappling with 14 drains discharging nearly 80 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage. Adding to this, a June 2026 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found over a third of Uttarakhand Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) still discharge untreated sewage, undermining the very premise of the Namami Gange Programme substantial infrastructure investments. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is keeping a close watch, recently directing the demarcation of floodplains across 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh to curb encroachment and pollution. The path ahead involves more than just building infrastructure; it demands stringent enforcement and a holistic ecological approach. With the Supreme Court having transferred primary river pollution oversight to the NGT in March 2026, the focus will intensify on state accountability and the efficacy of sewage treatment. Furthermore, the impending expiry of the Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh in December 2026 necessitates an ecological reset, while emerging threats like undetected Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution add another layer of complexity to the monumental task of truly rejuvenating the Ganga.