Rishikesh Ganga Water: Safe to Drink? Experts Warn After Indore Tragedy

• Indore tragedy, where sewage mixed with drinking water caused deaths, raises national water security concerns.
• Despite its sacred status, experts question if Rishikesh's Ganga water is safe for direct consumption.
• Environmentalist S.P. Sati states Ganga water is unsafe due to sewage, bacteria, and viruses, despite natural self-purifying capacity.
• Local settlements, ashrams, hotels, and tourism contribute to untreated wastewater discharge into the river.
• Scientific testing, filtering, or boiling is crucial; relying solely on faith and tradition for water safety is dangerous.

Why It Matters: Ganga water in Rishikesh is not safe for direct consumption; scientific testing is crucial.