Delhi LG Allows Chhath Puja At Designated Ghats, Warns Kejriwal Against 'Misleading' Publicity

Ahead of the festival, Saxena has directed Revenue and Environment departments to ensure strict enforcement of National Green Tribunal’s orders with regard to pollution in Yamuna river. 

Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena

New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday approved organising Chhath puja at designated spots along river Yamuna, sources told ABP News, adding that he has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ensure cleanliness at the ghats and of river water for the devotees. 

As per the sources the LG has cautioned Arvind Kejriwal against misleading and premature publicity. 

Ahead of the festival, Saxena has directed Revenue and Environment departments to ensure strict enforcement of National Green Tribunal’s orders with regard to pollution in Yamuna river. 

On October 17 it was announced that a Joint Committee of stakeholders was set up with a view to control froth formation downstream of Okhla Barrage in River Yamuna in the capital during the Chhath Puja, according to a report by news agency IANS. 

The stakeholders included the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB), the UP Irrigation Department, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

It has been decided that eco-friendly anti-surfactant shall be sprayed from October 25 onwards till Chhath Puja from boat-mounted sprayers. Other measures to control the froth formation would include operations of a barrage gate to avoid/minimise free fall at Okhla Barrage, stated the news agency.

According to officials this is in addition to the efforts going on towards sewerage interventions and monitoring discharge of industrial effluents under Namami Gange programme, central schemes and state plans. These efforts have brought about different scales of changes in river water quality during different seasons. In view of the festive season, it has been felt to coordinate efforts of different departments in the efforts to try and contain the problem of froth in the Yamuna downstream of Okhla Barrage