Temporary Cleaning of Yamuna or a Political Show in the guise of ‘Chatth Pooja’
On Chhath Puja today, millions of devotees gathered along the Yamuna and Ganga. The Delhi government claims the Yamuna looks cleaner for the festival, but experts say the change is mostly cosmetic. Authorities temporarily diverted water from canals, removed surface foam, and used chemicals to create the illusion of cleanliness.
The Ganga faces similar issues despite over ₹33,000 crore spent on cleaning projects. Industrial waste, untreated sewage, and ritualistic debris continue to enter the river every day. Environmentalists insist that short-term measures cannot solve these rivers’ deeper pollution problems. Until authorities stop the inflow of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, the rivers will remain far from clean.
Temporary cleaning before festivals like Chhath Puja often serves political purposes. Governments want to show progress to voters rather than address structural problems. Experts warn that visual improvements do not reflect real environmental recovery.
Why Pollution Persists
Yamuna and Ganga face complex, interconnected challenges. Both flow through densely populated regions where daily sewage and industrial discharge overwhelm the rivers. Cleaning projects often suffer from bureaucratic delays, fragmented planning, and poor monitoring, which limit their impact.
Cultural practices also add to pollution. Ritual offerings, idol immersions, and religious ceremonies contribute organic and chemical waste. Political pressures worsen the issue, as authorities often intensify cleaning only before major festivals. While these efforts temporarily improve the rivers’ appearance, they do not remove the core sources of pollution.
Experts emphasize that long-term solutions require stricter enforcement of environmental laws, better sewage and industrial waste management, and widespread public awareness. Without these, both Yamuna and Ganga will continue to face severe contamination, no matter how much money governments spend or how many festivals highlight the problem.
Chhath Puja reminds India of the spiritual and cultural significance of its rivers. However, the struggle to clean the Yamuna and Ganga highlights a harsh truth: political promises and temporary cleaning drives cannot restore them. Real change demands systemic reforms, long-term investment, and public participation. Until these steps are implemented, the rivers will remain polluted despite massive spending and temporary attention during festivals.
A seasoned journalist with over 30 years of rich and diverse experience in print and electronic media, Prabha’s professional stints include working with Sahara English Magazine and JAIN TV and All India Radio. She has also produced several documentary films through her self-owned production house Gajpati Communications. She is also the Station Director of Aligarh-based FM Radio Station, and the General Secretary of WADA NGO.
