The air and water in India's capital, Delhi, are alarmingly toxic. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, air quality in several areas was marked as 'severe' on Thursday morning, and the city’s AQI remained in 'very poor' category. Meanwhile, a thick layer of toxic foam covers the Yamuna's surface, visible at Kalindi Kunj with chunks floating in the river. Despite these dual pollution challenges, the citizens of Delhi are preparing for Chhath Puja celebrations.
The recurring sight of foam in the Yamuna has sparked political disputes in Delhi. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) alleged that the foam was due to silt from the Agra Canal, which the Uttar Pradesh government denied.
Source: aajtak
In addition, the Delhi government declared a holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja via a notification on Wednesday. The festival, predominantly observed by migrants from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, involves devotees taking dips in the Yamuna despite the toxic foam and praying towards the sun. However, due to pollution, immersing in the river's water poses serious risks.
MCD’s Preparations for Chhath
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) has allocated 10 million rupees for enhancing street lighting at Chhath Ghats in its 250 wards, as announced on Tuesday. Each ward has received 40,000 rupees to bolster street lighting around the ghats. According to the MCD, its Electrical and Mechanical Department will deploy staff to complete lighting work at these sites.
Apart from improving lighting, the MCD is ensuring cleanliness and sanitation at the ghats. Parking arrangements have also been made to facilitate visitors.
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Artificial Ghats Constructed
In response to the situation, the Delhi government has constructed artificial ghats for Chhath Puja. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Atishi shared details about the preparations. During a press conference, he stated, "The Delhi government is constructing 1000 Chhath Ghats across Delhi so that no one has to travel more than 1-2 kilometers from their home for the puja."
Atishi remarked, 'The grand scale of this Chhath Puja has grown over the past ten years. Before 2014 and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's tenure, there were only 60 Chhath Ghats in all of Delhi. Today, ten years later, the Delhi government is building 1000 Chhath Ghats.'
Chief Minister Atishi visited ITO Haathi Ghat, one of the oldest and most prominent Chhath Ghats in Delhi, on November 4 to inspect preparations. Announcing this on social media, he said, "Under Kejriwal Ji's leadership, this year, the Delhi government is celebrating the grand festival of faith at over 1000 locations across the city."
He also instructed officials to complete arrangements for devotees' convenience and safety at all ghats, including ITO.
Delhi HC Decision on Yamuna Chhath Puja
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court denied lifting the ban on celebrating Chhath Puja on the Yamuna riverbanks, citing high pollution levels and potential harm to devotees. The court stated ample arrangements were already in place for devotees. The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, dismissed a petition by the Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan seeking permission to celebrate Chhath Puja on the Yamuna banks.
The petitioner's lawyer argued that the ghats and river should be cleaned for the festival, but the court highlighted that such tasks cannot be completed overnight as they are challenging. After hearing arguments, the bench remarked on the inability to make changes at the last moment.
The Delhi government lawyer stated that allowing devotees to perform Chhath Puja in the heavily polluted river could result in illness. The High Court was also informed about the selection of a thousand places in Delhi for Chhath Puja.
Also Read: Major Preparations for Chhath Puja from Delhi to Patna, First Day Puja This Evening
BJP Targets AAP over Yamuna Pollution
Delhi BJP Chief Virender Sachdeva criticized the AAP government citing the High Court's comments on Yamuna pollution before Chhath Puja, stating that it exposed the government's claims about river cleaning. BJP leader charged that the hundreds of ghats set up by the AAP for the festival were non-functional. Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav also attacked the ruling party, saying that despite expressing concerns over deteriorating air and water quality, Chief Minister Atishi failed to take remedial actions.
