Yamuna clean-up now people’s movement: CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the ongoing clean-up of the Yamuna River has moved beyond a government programme and is steadily taking the shape of a people’s movement. She said this after the inspection of the river-cleaning drive at the Chhath Ghat near ITO.

The Chief Minister reviewed the work being carried out along the riverbank and interacted with volunteers, officials and members of the Yamuna Task Force. She said the scale of public participation showed a growing sense of responsibility among citizens for restoring the health of the river, which remains one of Delhi’s biggest environmental challenges.

“This campaign is no longer limited to files and offices. Citizens, especially the youth, have joined in large numbers. That is what gives this effort strength and credibility,” the Chief Minister said during the inspection.

The clean-up drive at the ITO Chhath Ghat was organised by the Culture Youth Foundation, with active participation from volunteers and personnel of the Yamuna Task Force of the 137 CETF Battalion of the Territorial Army. Despite it being a Sunday, a large number of people turned up to take part in the drive, collecting waste, removing silt and assisting authorities in clearing the riverbank.

The Chief Minister described the Yamuna as an integral part of India’s faith, culture and civilisation, and said its protection could not be left to the government alone. “Maa Yamuna is not just a river. It is a living symbol of our civilisation. Keeping it clean and flowing is our shared moral duty towards future generations,” she said.

The Chief Minister said the Delhi government was carrying out the Yamuna rejuvenation programme on a “war footing”, following a phased and scientific approach. She said efforts were underway to strengthen waste management systems, improve sewage treatment, and ensure proper disposal of silt and other materials being removed from the river and its floodplains.

Officials accompanying the Chief Minister briefed her on the use of biological treatment methods, monitoring mechanisms and coordination between departments involved in river cleaning and pollution control. The Chief Minister stressed that the work would continue in a planned manner, with regular monitoring to ensure visible and lasting improvement. She reiterated that the government would fully support initiatives driven by public participation, saying lasting environmental change was possible only when society and the state worked together. “Sustainable change cannot be imposed. It has to grow from awareness and participation,” she said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of young people in the campaign, calling their involvement the biggest strength behind social and environmental transformation. She urged citizens to maintain discipline and long-term commitment, rather than treating cleanliness drives as one-day events.

Appealing to the people of Delhi, she said consistent awareness and responsible behaviour were essential to protect the Yamuna from pollution. “A clean Yamuna will become the symbol of a clean, healthy and empowered Delhi,” she said.

The Delhi Government has been facing sustained pressure from environmental groups and courts to show measurable improvement in the condition of the Yamuna, which remains heavily polluted despite multiple action plans over the years.