Ahead of the upcoming Chhath festival, inspections were carried out on Thursday to review preparations around the Kalindi Kunj area (Madanpur Khadar) as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed satisfaction over froth control and cleaning work in the Yamuna river.
Chief Minister Gupta was present on ground zero, and inspected the cleaning work underway, while she also reviewed the report issued by the on-site laboratory for testing the river’s water.
The CM expressed satisfaction over the quality of Yamuna water based on the laboratory’s report, which operates under the Treatment Plant and Quality Control Wing of the Delhi Jal Board.
Gupta informed that continuous monitoring of Yamuna’s water quality is being carried out, and presently the phosphate level in the river, which is the main cause of froth formation, has now been recorded at only 0.2, whereas froth starts forming when this level exceeds 2 points.
She claimed that the ammonia levels in the river water have also come down significantly.
The CM has also clarified that defoamers and other chemical processes being used for controlling froth in the Yamuna are completely eco-friendly and certified.
All these chemicals, she said, are entirely safe for the environment, aquatic plants, and aquatic organisms.
According to the CM, the Delhi government strictly adheres to transparency and safety standards at every step.
She warned that any kind of negligence with regard to transparency and safety standards in the work will not be tolerated.
As per the CM, in the same area, until last year, froth up to one meter would accumulate, which forced Chhath devotees to perform their rituals amid pollution.
The CM claimed that Yamuna’s water is now visibly clean and free of froth at present, and the Delhi government has ensured that this year’s Chhath Puja can be celebrated in a grand manner.
Gupta also shared that the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) level in the Yamuna river water on Thursday was found to be 4.0 milligrams per liter, which she said is sufficient for the river, and suitable for the survival of aquatic organisms.
According to the CM, if this level drops to 2 or below, it poses a threat to both the Yamuna and its aquatic life.
She said there was a time when the oxygen level in the Yamuna had fallen below zero, making it impossible for any aquatic organism to survive.
The present situation and the improvement visible presently has been made possible due to continuous desilting, revival of modern Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and tapping of drains across Delhi, Gupta said.
She further said that there are ‘certain people’ who are attempting to spread misleading information regarding the condition of the Yamuna, which she said must be avoided.
The CM was accompanied by Delhi’s Minister of Development and Tourism, Kapil Mishra during the inspection.
The ministers have appreciated work done by the officers and employees of the Delhi Jal Board and the Environment Department, acknowledging that hundreds of them are working day and night for cleaning of the Yamuna.
Gupta has said this effort is not just the government’s initiative, but a collective campaign to rejuvenate the Yamuna with the cooperation of Delhi’s citizens.