An ongoing comprehensive scientific expedition along the entire stretch of the Ganga River has reported a moderate to good water health status, establishing a crucial evidence-based benchmark for India’s national river. The study started on November 24 and is slated to end on December 5, 2025.
The finding—based on systematic, multi-state monitoring of seventeen core water quality parameters—forms the central peg of the study.
Led by Anand Sebastian, PhD Research Scholar at Delhi Technological University (DTU), and Avinash Kumar, Research Scholar at DTU, the mission received analytical support from Athulya, Ganga Test Lead for the DTU–IIT Ropar Collaboration. The research was guided by Major General Vinod Kumar Bhut (Retd.) and Prof. K.C. Tiwari, Head of the Geospatial Science & Technology Division at DTU.
The team travelled over 4,000 km across key Ganga basin states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, collecting field samples from diverse river zones such as urban stretches, pilgrimage corridors, agricultural belts, industrial regions, and the estuarine reach.
What did the Ganga research team study
The expedition evaluated seventeen core parameters—pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate, phosphorous, hardness, fecal pollution, total dissolved solids, residual chlorine, chlorides, fluoride, iron, ammonia, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, and oxidation–reduction potential (ORP).
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Initial analysis shows that most segments of the river display moderate to good ecological health, supported by balanced pH values and favourable dissolved oxygen levels needed for aquatic life. Yet, the team identified localised degradation near densely populated areas, industrial clusters, and agricultural runoff zones, marking them as priority regions for pollution-mitigation interventions.
At Sahibganj
A detailed assessment at Mutheshwar Dham Ghat, Sahibganj, recorded a moderate to good ecological condition. The river temperature remained around 22°C, suitable for aquatic organisms. A pH of 8.10 indicated a slightly alkaline yet healthy buffering capacity, while electrical conductivity at 502 µS/cm suggested moderate mineral content influenced by surface runoff.
The dissolved oxygen level of 6.78 mg/L confirmed supportive aquatic conditions and low salinity (0.24 PSU) reaffirmed the freshwater nature of the site. However, a negative ORP value (-52.8 mV) pointed to mild reducing conditions, signalling nutrient and organic loading that require continued monitoring.
The mission marks a significant scientific effort in understanding the ecological dynamics of the Ganga River. By integrating ground surveys, geospatial technologies, and academic collaboration, the study aims to support national river-conservation initiatives, future scientific publications, and decision-support models. Ultimately, these findings contribute to policy formulation, restoration planning, and greater citizen awareness on the river’s health.
Reacting to the study, Dr Abhinash Kumar said, “Hard rock and sand mining have a significant and harmful impact on the water quality of the Ganga River in Sahibganj. Continuous extraction of sand and stones from the riverbed increases the sediment load, which makes the water highly turbid and reduces light penetration needed for aquatic life.”
He added, “Excessive mining disturbs the natural flow of the river, causing riverbank erosion and destabilizing the surrounding land. The machinery used in mining often releases oil, grease, and other contaminants that further degrade water quality. These activities also destroy habitats of fish and other aquatic organisms, reducing biodiversity in the region. Over time, uncontrolled mining contributes to ecological imbalance, affecting not only the river ecosystem but also the communities that depend on the Ganga for drinking water, agriculture, and daily activities.”
