Maha Kumbh 2025: Air Quality remained in green zone for 42 days even as 62 crore devotees reach Mela area by thousands of 4-wheelers

Prayagraj: Despite crores of devotees taking a holy dip and massive vehicular movement, the air quality in Maha Kumbh Nagar has not deteriorated, reveals the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), official sources said here.

Sources said on Monday that more than 60 percent of the country's population has visited the sacred confluence of rivers at Maha Kumbh and participated in the ritualistic holy dip. "Besides, millions of vehicles have moved across the region. However, the air quality of the Kumbh area has not turned unhealthy and this has been validated by the reports from the CPCB," they claimed.

Environmental Consultant Engineer Shaikh Shiraz from CPCB said that air quality has remained in the green zone throughout the Maha Kumbh. He said that the Air Quality Index (AQI) on significant dates was, 67 on January 13 (Paush Purnima), 67 on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), 106 on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), 65 on February 3 (Basant Panchami) and 52 on February 12 (Maghi Purnima).

It may be noted that an AQI below 100 is considered good, while 100 to 150 is categorised as moderate. Except for Mauni Amavasya (when the AQI was slightly moderate), the air quality on all other days was classified as good. Overall, the Maha Kumbh area remained in the green zone for 42 days.

Despite the continuous influx of devotees and the presence of numerous fuel-powered vehicles, the city's air quality remained in the green zone for 42 consecutive days. A comparative analysis of air quality data from January and February on the CPCB's official app 'Sameer' highlights that Maha Kumbh's air quality was even better than Chandigarh.

The effective air pollution control measures at Maha Kumbh were the result of regular monitoring and multiple initiatives by the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation. According to Junior Engineer Ram Saxena, measures taken by the corporation included deployment of 9,600 personnel for sanitation and pollution control.

He said, "800 additional sanitation workers remained active throughout. Continuous water sprinkling was carried out in areas prone to air pollution. Road washing at night was done to minimise dust. Water tankers from Jal Nigam were used, including eight large (10,000 litres each) and four small (3,000 litres each) tankers.

Saxena said that anti-pollution sensors were installed at key locations, including MNNIT Crossing, Teliyarganj, Jhunsi Awas Vikas, and the Municipal Corporation office, where water sprinkling was conducted daily.

These proactive measures ensured that Maha Kumbh set a new benchmark in air pollution control, making it an eco-friendly event despite the massive gathering of devotees.