Thick froth covers Yamuna, BJP slams AAP over pollution

Since Friday, a thick layer of white froth has formed a blanket over the Yamuna in Delhi, raising significant health concerns as the festive season nears. This kind of water pollution poses a particular threat ahead of Chhath Puja, scheduled for November 5, when devotees traditionally immerse themselves in the river.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “The water of Yamuna has become poisonous. Arvind Kejriwal had said that he would clean the Yamuna by 2025. When people celebrate the Chhath Puja festival in the Yamuna, can you imagine the diseases they may suffer from? The AAP-led Delhi government has spent all the money meant for cleaning the Yamuna on advertisements...they will blame Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for this condition.”

Earlier this week, CM Atishi had announced that over 1,000 ‘chhaths’ would be set up across Delhi. CM Atishi held a high-level meeting on Monday with senior officials from the Jal Board, Flood and Irrigation Department, Revenue Department, and all district officials. She instructed the officials to start all necessary preparations in advance to avoid last-minute rushes, ensuring that devotees face no difficulties during the festival.

The Delhi Government will set up a “large, model Chhath ghats in every assembly constituency” this year, where cultural programmes would also be organised by the government, she had announced. Union Minister and East Delhi MP Harsh Malhotra accused the Delhi government of failing to clean the Yamuna despite repeated promises and substantial funds. During a visit to Kalindi Kunj, highlighting the alarming state of the river, Malhotra said, “Atishi’s government should clarify what happened to the Rs 1,000 crore collected as pollution cess,” he added.

“During Chhath Puja, they make political moves regarding the river’s cleanliness, yet the Yamuna only gets more polluted, preventing people from even visiting its banks,” Malhotra said.

The Minister criticised the Kejriwal government for obstructing efforts to clean the river, particularly when steps were initiated by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor. “When the L-G initiated steps to clean the Yamuna, the Kejriwal government approached the Supreme Court to block them. Cleaning the river has always been a political issue for the AAP,” he noted.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Anil Gupta said that the oxygen content of the Yamuna water is at nine units when it enters Delhi from Haryana, but drops to zero by the time it leaves Delhi, making it hazardous for anyone. “With a budget of Rs 85,000 crore, the Kejriwal government owes an explanation to the people of Delhi regarding its failure to clean the Yamuna.” he added.

While AAP in its response said, “The BJP government is spreading pollution by sending dirty water from UP to Yamuna and their leaders are doing stunts in Delhi. AAP government is working on a war footing to reduce pollution. Only the AAP government is doing the work of fighting pollution. BJP is just doing dirty politics. This war against pollution will continue.”

Working on war footing

The BJP government is spreading pollution by sending dirty water from UP to Delhi and their leaders are doing stunts in Delhi. AAP government is working on a war footing to reduce pollution. — AAP statement

Pollution cess

Atishi’s government should clarify what happened to the Rs 1,000 crore collected as pollution cess. — Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister and East Delhi MP