New Delhi: Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday posted images of toxic froth in the Yamuna on X, subtly criticising the Atishi-led Aam Aadmi Party government for the second consecutive day. “These pictures of Yamuna ji are from this morning. Who is responsible? Truth has a very bad habit, it cannot be suppressed. Instead of making accusations, allegations and excuses on media/social media, it would be better to provide relief to the people of Delhi and especially Chhath worshippers and fasting people from this worsening situation,” the lieutenant governor said. “I expect concrete steps for redressal,” Delhi LG posted on X.
On Monday, the lieutenant governor had also shared pictures of the Yamuna, saying, “This is the condition of Yamuna, the pain of Delhi’s people; I can’t see it. Who is responsible for such a plight? Who had claimed to clean the Yamuna and announced to take a dip in it?” The Aam Aadmi Party claimed that the images of foam in the Yamuna were from 2015, accusing the BJP of “stooping to desperate tactics” by circulating old photos.
Delhi’s pollution crisis
The political clash between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP intensifies as Delhi struggles with both water and air pollution. On Sunday, Delhi chief minister Atishi pointed to ‘parali’ (paddy stubble) burning, diesel buses, and brick kilns in BJP-ruled Haryana as key contributors to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.
“Anand Vihar, located on the Delhi-UP border, remains a hotspot with the highest AQI levels. This area sees a significant influx of buses from outside Delhi, and the nearby Kaushambi bus depot also operates diesel buses. While Delhi runs CNG and electric buses, we aim to engage with the UP government to implement pollution control measures in that region as well,” Atishi stated during a press conference.
Haryana CM hits back at Atishi
Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini responded to Atishi’s claims, saying, “I think AAP’s Delhi Government is habitual of lying and blaming others for their own mistakes.” He added, “The Delhi government is used to finding faults in everyone but themselves. The BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of water supplied by Haryana to Delhi is around 2-3 mg per litre, and the water from the CLC canal has almost zero BOD. But Delhi should explain who is responsible for the 28 drains of dirty water flowing into the Yamuna from the city’s side to Okhla,” as quoted by ANI.
