Delhi Launches Chalo Yamuna Cleanliness Drive to Revive Rivers Health

New Delhi, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : New Delhi is witnessing a significant cleanliness initiative aimed at reviving the Yamuna River, under the ‘Chalo Yamuna’ (Clean Yamuna Guardian) campaign. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in a cleanup event held at Hathi Ghat near ITO, where she encouraged citizens to actively engage in keeping the river clean. The campaign has seen participation from thousands of young volunteers, resident welfare associations, and various social organizations.

Expressing her satisfaction with the turnout, Chief Minister Gupta noted the enthusiastic involvement of youth and social groups in the cleanliness drive along the Yamuna’s banks. She emphasized that cleanliness should be a way of life, not just a one-day event, urging each citizen to incorporate it into their daily routine.

During the cleanup, Gupta highlighted the litter found along the river, including discarded religious garments, broken idols, and other materials used in rituals. She pointed out that many people irresponsibly leave offerings and waste in the river, contributing to its pollution. Additionally, plastic waste and food wrappers were also found littering the riverbanks.

The Chief Minister appealed to the public to change their lifestyles and ensure that religious items, broken idols, plastics, and other waste do not end up in the Yamuna. She stressed that maintaining the river’s cleanliness is not solely the government’s responsibility; it requires the participation of every citizen.

Gupta also acknowledged that there are various other causes of Yamuna pollution that the government is addressing seriously. She mentioned that millions of tons of silt have been removed from drains over the past year. Gupta expressed hope that, with the government’s efforts and public cooperation, the Yamuna would gradually become cleaner.

The cleanup event at the Yamuna ghat also saw participation from BJP state president and Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, who criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party government regarding its handling of the river’s cleanliness. Malhotra stated that under the BJP government, plans have been set in motion to clean the 33-kilometer stretch of the Yamuna that flows through Delhi.

He accused the previous government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, of politicizing the issue of Yamuna cleanliness without implementing a solid action plan. Malhotra pointed out that despite receiving approximately ₹2,900 crores from the central government, no effective strategy for cleaning the Yamuna was put in place.

He stressed the need for a concrete plan and ongoing efforts to ensure the river’s cleanliness. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Gupta reiterated her call for citizens to refrain from polluting the river and to support the cleanliness campaign.