Delhi CM launches app to enlist youth for Yamuna cleaning drive

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched the 'Main Bhi Yamuna Prahari' mobile app to enlist volunteers, particularly young people, for the cleanliness and conservation of the Yamuna.

Launching the app at the Delhi University Sports Complex, Gupta said cleaning the river could not be left to the government alone and called for active participation by citizens to turn the effort into a public movement.

She said thousands of students from 30 Delhi University colleges would come together on October 18 to take a pledge for the cleanliness and conservation of the Yamuna and join the campaign.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh and Delhi BJP general secretary Mohanlal Gihara attended the launch.

Gupta said challenges such as cleaning the Yamuna required sustained participation from society alongside large-scale government efforts.

She also pointed to everyday practices that contribute to pollution, including immersing puja material, flowers, garlands, damaged idols and other items in the river.

"Some everyday practices of citizens, often unintentionally, also contribute to the pollution of the Yamuna," she said.

The chief minister stressed that changes in public behaviour were necessary along with government measures to improve the river's condition.

She appealed to Delhi residents to register on the 'Main Bhi Yamuna Prahari' app and join the campaign, saying public participation would strengthen efforts to make the Yamuna "clean, pure and free-flowing".

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said the new government had begun work on a comprehensive action plan for the river, with its cleanliness being given priority.

More than Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated for cleaning the Yamuna, he said in a statement.

According to Sachdeva, various projects are being undertaken to prevent major drains from discharging untreated waste into the river and to improve sewage treatment.

He said the tender process for setting up sewage treatment plants at the outfalls of 22 major drains flowing into the Yamuna had been completed, while construction had begun at 12 locations.