The Truth Behind Yamuna River “Cleanliness” Claims in Delhi Before Chhath Puja

 The Truth Behind Yamuna River “Cleanliness” Claims in Delhi Before Chhath Puja

In recent days, social media and certain television channels have been filled with visuals of politicians and influencers drinking bottled Yamuna water, claiming that the river has finally been cleaned in time for Chhath Mahaparv. But when you look beyond the camera lenses and the PR-driven headlines, a very different reality surfaces — one filled with untreated sewage, political manipulation, and deception aimed at millions of Delhi’s residents.

The Ground Reality at Wazirabad

At Wazirabad Barrage, where the Yamuna technically enters Delhi, the truth is visible and shocking. On one side, the river flows relatively clear; on the other, black, foul-smelling sewage from the Najafgarh drain merges directly into the Yamuna. This drain alone carries thousands of litres of untreated wastewater from homes and factories across Delhi. And this isn’t the only one — nearly 22 drains across Delhi pour untreated sewage into the river every day.

Despite years of promises and “budget allocations,” both the BJP and AAP governments have failed to stop these drains from polluting the Yamuna. The pollution level remains the same — the only difference is that more clean water is being released from upstream to dilute the dirty water, creating an illusion that the river has been cleaned.

The Political Game Behind the “Clean Yamuna” Claim

So why does the river look cleaner right now?
Because the Haryana government, under coordination with the BJP-led Delhi and Central governments, temporarily released a massive flow of water from the Hathnikund Barrage — 30 times more than usual. Normally, most water is diverted into canals for irrigation, leaving barely 10 cubic metres per second to enter the Yamuna. But just before Chhath Puja, over 293 cubic metres per second was released — flooding the river and giving the illusion of cleanliness.

However, this is not a permanent solution. Once the barrage gates are closed after the festival, the flow will reduce again, the untreated drains will continue to pollute the water, and the river will return to its black, toxic state.

Deception Through Optics

At several ghats, including Vasudev Ghat near Kashmiri Gate and Kalindi Kunj, temporary ponds have been created beside the river for devotees to perform Chhath rituals. These ponds are not connected to the Yamuna — and in some cases, as alleged by AAP, the water in these ponds is actually treated Ganga water supplied from the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant.

During an interview with journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, Delhi BJP’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was seen sitting beside this artificial pond, claiming the Yamuna had been cleaned — while the actual polluted river remained hidden behind green screens and barricades. Independent journalists were not allowed to film inside, but PR cameras were given full access to present the government’s narrative.

A Mockery of Faith

This issue becomes even more disturbing when seen through the lens of faith. Millions of Purvanchali families in Delhi consider Chhath Puja sacred. Women and children immerse themselves in the river as part of ancient rituals of purity and devotion. To allow — or worse, encourage — them to bathe in polluted, disease-ridden water is both irresponsible and dangerous.

Local fishermen and residents confirm that the same toxic water kills fish every year. They have witnessed this cycle repeatedly — before the festival, clean water is released; after it ends, the gates are closed and the river turns black again.

The Real Question

If the government truly cleaned the Yamuna, why does untreated sewage still flow in from over 20 major drains? Why were independent journalists barred from filming the actual river? Why was clean canal or Ganga water used to fill artificial ponds while the real Yamuna remains toxic?

This isn’t cleanliness — it’s optical illusion, engineered for political gain. With the Bihar elections nearing and 40 lakh Purvanchalis living in Delhi, the BJP is clearly trying to claim political credit for what is essentially a temporary cosmetic fix.

The truth is simple: Yamuna hasn’t been cleaned — it’s just been diluted, decorated, and disguised for the cameras.

Author’s Note:
Delhi’s Yamuna river is not a photo-op. It’s a living ecosystem — and until the government stops dumping untreated sewage and takes real, permanent action, no amount of PR or extra water flow will make it pure again.

#YamunaTruth #DelhiPolitics #ChhathPuja #EnvironmentalCrisis