BJP MP takes ritual dip in Yamuna, claims pollution reduced

Manoj Tiwari, BJP Member of Parliament from East Delhi, performed the ritual bathing at Sonia Vihar Ghat and claimed significant progress in addressing pollution levels in the river. "The Yamuna's contamination has reduced by half in the past year," Tiwari stated, attributing the improvement to government initiatives. He cited the return of migratory birds to the region as evidence of environmental restoration and called on the public to celebrate Chhath Puja along the river banks.

The lawmaker's assertions were swiftly challenged by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which dismissed claims of dramatic improvement. AAP representatives noted that the Palla to Wazirabad stretch of the Yamuna had maintained relatively better water quality prior to recent initiatives, questioning the baseline for comparison used by the BJP.

The Yamuna, Delhi's lifeline, has long struggled with severe pollution from industrial waste, sewage, and urban runoff. Chhath Puja, celebrated primarily by communities from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, traditionally involves ritualistic bathing in rivers and has become a flashpoint in discussions about water quality in the capital. The festival's observance along the Yamuna has faced intermittent concerns regarding water safety in recent years.