Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sardar Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday visited Vasudev Ghat on the Yamuna, opposite ISBT Kashmere Gate, and conducted a detailed review of sanitation arrangements, infrastructure development, and ongoing works related to the river’s rejuvenation.
According to officials, the primary objective of the LG and CM’s visit was to assess the progress of the Yamuna riverfront development and review departmental preparedness for challenges faced during the summer and the upcoming monsoon.
After inspecting the locations, the LG and the CM highlighted the stark contrast between Vasudev Ghat, developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and Yamuna Bazar Ghat.
They noted that developed sites such as Vasudev Ghat, Asita, Baansera, and Yamuna Biodiversity Park have emerged as eco-friendly, sustainable, and green public spaces. However, several other ghats still need to be developed along similar lines in coordination with the relevant departments and agencies.
During the inspection, the LG and the CM reviewed the development of ghats along the Yamuna, green zones, walking trails, biodiversity areas, and the deployment of modern machinery for cleaning operations.
Meanwhile, the officials concerned presented a detailed overview of floodplain restoration projects, highlighting phased development work starting from Wazirabad to Okhla. They also shared information on ecological rejuvenation of riverbanks, biodiversity enhancement, and measures to reduce pollution.
Sandhu said the inspection was the result of extensive public interactions held over the past month, during which citizens flagged concerns such as pollution, monsoon flooding, and water scarcity during summer.
The LG emphasised that governance must remain citizen-centric and responsive, adding that, based on public feedback, efforts are underway to rejuvenate the entire floodplain stretch from Palla to Kalindi Kunj in a time-bound manner
Directions were also issued to all departments concerned, including the Irrigation & Flood Control Department (I&FCD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), asking them to work in close coordination and prepare a comprehensive presentation with clearly defined targets and timelines.
The LG also said that Yamuna rejuvenation is among the top priorities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and the government will actively collaborate with national and international experts to adopt global best practices and innovative solutions for these critical projects.
The CM reiterated that the vision is to build a clean, beautiful, and green Delhi, with the restoration of the Yamuna as a key priority.
Referring to the 2026–27 budget, Gupta said her government’s ‘Green Budget’ constitutes approximately 21.44 per cent of the total outlay, with a significant portion allocated to environmental initiatives, particularly Yamuna cleaning.
The CM also directed officials to immediately remove encroachments from floodplains to enhance the river’s water-holding capacity and instructed the implementation of a three-pronged agenda focusing on desilting, ensuring smooth water flow, and providing permanent solutions for waterlogging hotspots.