Ganga river water becomes fit for drinking in Haridwar and Rishikesh during the coronavirus lockdown in India.

Times of India article confirms that nationwide lockdown has improved Ganga River's water quality in Hardiwar and Rishikesh.

Times of India article confirms that nationwide lockdown has improved Ganga River's water quality in Hardiwar and Rishikesh.According to an article published by Times of India on 10 March 2020, environmental scientist and former professor at the Gurukul Kangri University, BD Joshi said that it is after years that Ganga water is worth for ritual drinking in Haridwar. The state pollution control board (PCB) regional officer RK Kathiat also said that following the lockdown there is an apparent change in the water quality of the river because of reduced human intervention as no pilgrims are visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh.

A post uploaded on Facebook by The Indian News clarified that Ganga waters at Rishikesh and Haridwar have become very clean during India’s lockdown, it also added that the cause behind cleaner Ganga water is a 500 per cent decrease in total dissolved solids(TDS), industrial effluent, Dharamshala's, sewage from hotels and lodges.

According to an article by the Hindu, D.P. Mathuria, senior NMCG official in charge of water quality management said that the water samples have been collected from all Ganga basin States and are in the process of being analysed. He further added that some preliminary signs show that water is cleaner but still the detailed analysis into its quality is required. The tests are underway.

Following the lockdown, Ganga river water might look cleaner as there is a decrease in the discharge of industrial waste into the river, but whether it is fit for drinking is not yet confirmed with official analysis.

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