Assessment of Mass Bathing on River Water Quality During Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela 2016 in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh India

The primary aim of the study was to assess few impacts on River water quality of Mass gathering and taking a holy dip during Maha Kumbhmela from 22 april 2016 to 21 may 2016 in Ujjain City and to make a comparison of few parameter to standard Stipulated by Central Pollution control Board (CPCB), New Delhi during the Mela Days. River water samples were collected from four sites Mangalnath Ghat, Triveni Ghat, Lalpul Ghat, and Narsingh Ghat and were analysis for a few Chemical and biological Parameters such as BOD and pH. During the Mass Bathing two ghats were found to be more affected than the other two ghats. These were noted to Mangalnath and Narsingh ghat in Ujjain during Mahakumbh at these sites parameter are observed to be more polluted in comparison to other two sites Lalpul ghat and triveni ghat. The water quality was reported to be of very bad status. As per Central pollution control board (CPCB) norms water was found to be of D class and was not fit for drinking, bathing. Several cases of water born diseases like typhoid, skin, eye, ear, and urinary tract infections were reported from local and nearby city hospitals immediately after mass bath especially in summer. KeywordsMass bathing, Water Quality, Chemical and Biological parameters, Kshipra River