Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh is called the motherland of rivers because it is a state where more than 200 small and big rivers flow. Despite this, there are more than two dozen such rivers which have been polluted. Among these, Kshipra, Betwa and Narmada rivers are such that their water is not even suitable for drinking, let alone swimming. Especially the water of religious places situated on the banks of these rivers is the most polluted. This has been revealed in the report of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB). According to the report of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, there are 89 rivers of Madhya Pradesh which have water throughout the year. MPPCB tested water at 293 places on the route of these rivers. The report revealed that the water of 197 places was of A-category. Whereas water quality was found to be poor at 96 places. More than 60 of these places are near religious places. The water here is not fit for even washing hands, leave alone bathing or bathing.
Report presented in the assembly
The annual average status of water quality of rivers has been mentioned in the annual report of MPPCB for 2023-24, presented in the winter session of the Assembly. In the report, Kanh (Khan) river of Indore has been described as the most polluted. The condition of Kshipra river of Ujjain is also bad. The small Kalisindh river of Dewas could not be investigated due to it drying up. MPPCB has checked the quality in 5 categories. A-category water is germ free. It is to be consumed directly without any conventional treatment. Germs (such as bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms) are found in the B-category. It is suitable for washing or cleaning. C-category water contains excess heavy metals and other pollutants. The color of D-category water becomes completely black. E-category water is affected by industrial waste or highly hazardous pollution.
polluted water on these ghats
According to MPPCB report, Kanh is not the most polluted. Chambal water is also of D-category. In Betwa river, the water at Mandideep upstream and Nayapur downstream is of C-category. This water is not even suitable for bathing. The water at Bhojpur Temple Bridge and Charantirtha Ghat in Vidisha is also of B-category. In Chambal river, water in Junanagada, Italvada, Gidghar of Ujjain is of D-category. Rajgarh, water near Tal Road Bridge is of C-category. The water in Kshipra river at AB Road water supply center of Dewas is of A-category. Water from Hawankhedi Nagdaman comes in D-category.
The water from Ujjain’s Goghat, Ramghat, Siddhavatghat to Mahidpur is black and of D-category. The water in Mandakini river at its origin in Chitrakoot is of A-category. The water from Sphatik Shila to Ramghat is of B-category. The water in Kanh (Khan) river in Limbodi Shivdham of Indore is of D-category. The water in Kamla Nehru Park, Ahilya Ashram, Khatipura, and Dhan Khedi is of E-category. The water in Ramvasa before meeting Kshipra is of D-category. In the Narmada River, the water in Pushpakar Dam, Kapildhara, and Budni area near Amarkantak is of B-category. The water in Parvati river in Sehore is of B-category, but becomes A-category as soon as it comes out of the district.
The water at Ramghat in Mandsaur in Shivna river is of A-category. But the water near Pashupatinath temple is of C-category. In the Tamsa (Tons) river, the water at Bardhiya Ghat in Satna is of B-category, while in Rewa it is of A-category.