New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with members of her Cabinet on Sunday led a large-scale cleanliness drive across 28 ghats of the Yamuna river, marking a renewed push toward river rejuvenation and public participation in sanitation efforts.
The campaign was carried out across multiple locations in the city, including the Geeta Colony riverfront area, where the Chief Minister personally participated and appealed for collective responsibility in keeping the Yamuna clean.
Mass Participation Seen in Four-Hour Early Morning Campaign
The cleanliness drive began at 6 AM and continued for four hours, witnessing widespread participation from citizens, social organisations, and political leaders.
According to officials cited by PTI, thousands of volunteers took part, including members of more than 500 social and religious organisations, making it one of the largest coordinated river-cleaning efforts in the capital.
Leaders Participate Across Multiple Ghats in Delhi
Apart from the Chief Minister, several senior leaders and public representatives joined the initiative at different ghats, including:
- Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra
- Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh, Pankaj Singh, Ravinder Indraj
- Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta
- MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Manoj Tiwari, and Swati Maliwal
Cleanliness drives were conducted at key locations including Nigambodh Ghat, Sarai Kale Khan, Signature Bridge, Sonia Vihar, Kalindi Kunj, Yamuna Bank, and ITO stretch.
CM Rekha Gupta Calls Yamuna a “Motherly Lifeline”
Addressing participants at Geeta Colony, CM Rekha Gupta described the Yamuna as Delhi’s “lifeline” and emphasised that its cleanliness is a shared responsibility of both government and citizens.
She noted that the river had been polluted by waste such as broken idols and cloth, and urged people to avoid dumping such items into the water.
The Chief Minister also stated that the cleanliness drive would not be a one-time event, but part of a continuous year-round effort.
Government Plans Over ₹1,000 Crore Yamuna Cleaning Projects
The Delhi government announced that projects worth over ₹1,000 crore have already been approved for Yamuna cleaning and rejuvenation.
Key initiatives include:
- Construction of 12 decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Najafgarh
- Investment of ₹860 crore under the AMRUT scheme
- Measures to stop untreated sewage from entering the river
Officials said these steps are aimed at long-term pollution control and ecological restoration of the Yamuna.
Special Arrangements for Idol Immersion Waste
During the campaign, leaders highlighted the need to properly manage religious waste.
MP Praveen Khandelwal informed that a dedicated facility has been set up at Agrasen Park in Kashmere Gate for collecting broken idols, urging citizens not to immerse them in the river.
Focus on Long-Term Yamuna Rejuvenation
Ministers and party leaders reiterated that the goal is to improve the Yamuna’s condition within the next five years through sustained efforts. Delhi minister Ravinder Indraj Singh emphasized a structured roadmap for river revival, while BJP leaders noted that the focus has shifted from announcements to measurable results.
Strong Public and Organizational Participation
The campaign saw active involvement from:
- Local residents
- Volunteers
- Social and religious organisations
- Political workers and civic groups
Officials said the high level of participation reflects growing public awareness and commitment toward environmental cleanliness.
The large-scale cleanliness drive led by CM Rekha Gupta across 28 Yamuna ghats highlights a renewed focus on river rejuvenation in Delhi. With strong public participation and major infrastructure investments planned, the government aims to move toward a cleaner and more sustainable Yamuna through continuous, year-round efforts.
