New Delhi: River Yamuna is currently filled with toxic foam as Chhath Puja approaches, which will be celebrated from November 6 to 8. The situation has increased concerns regarding pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region. Authorities are now using chemical defoamers to address the severe pollution indicated by the presence of this foam. Recent footage released by news agency ANI shows the toxic foam drifting on the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj, where pollution levels remain very high.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the Delhi government, blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the pollution in the river. “The day after Diwali, we can see a thick layer of foam at the Yamuna ghat. This foam is a direct consequence of the corruption committed by Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party. Now, as Chhath Puja approaches, they are only applying chemical defoamers,” Poonawalla said.
He added, “Arvind Kejriwal is accountable for transforming Delhi into a gas chamber; now we must wear masks. They blame Uttar Pradesh but overlook the stubble burning issues in Punjab. They have failed to tackle the fundamental causes of pollution in Delhi.”
Delhi Jal Board takes action
In response to the troubling images of foam on the Yamuna, teams from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) began spraying anti-foaming solutions around the Okhla barrage on Tuesday, officials from the water utility said. According to DJB representatives, around 12-15 tons of a diluted anti-foaming agent will be deployed in this initiative, which will extend until the conclusion of Chhath celebrations.
The recurring appearance of white foam on the Yamuna each winter highlights the huge levels of untreated sewage and industrial waste present in the river. A senior official said that during a coordination meeting held last month, it was agreed that eight departments would collaborate to reduce the toxic froth.
Smog blankets Delhi
At the same time, a dense layer of smog enveloped parts of Delhi on Sunday, contributing to the air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital reached 369 at 9 am, a substantial rise from the 290 recorded the previous day.
Many monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ air quality, with measurements exceeding 400. Data from the CPCB’s Sameer app, which provides hourly updates on AQI levels, revealed that out of 38 monitoring stations, eight—Anand Vihar, Wazirpur, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Nehru Marg, Mundka, Jahangirpuri and Ashok Vihar—recorded AQI levels surpassing 400.
