Delhi instals bamboo nets to remove froth from Yamuna

New Delhi, November 10

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A day after the Delhi government deployed 15 boats in the polluted Yamuna to remove toxic froth at Kalindi Kunj banks, where people were gathering for Chhath Puja despite restrictions, bamboo structures were installed and water sprayed from tankers on Wednesday to dissipate the foam.

As the administration faced flak for these “cover-up” measures, officials admitted that the problem of frothing — a sign of the river’s hazardous water quality — will continue unless sewage treatment plants and common effluent treatment plants in Delhi are upgraded to meet the new standards and all unauthorised colonies are connected to the sewer network.

A Delhi Jal Board official said directions have been issued to sprinkle water to dissipate the froth as “no other short-term measure would work”.

“Water sprinkling will break the froth. The air bubbles trapped in the froth will escape and the froth will dissipate,” he said.

An official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said bamboo nets had been installed on the stretch at Kalindi Kunj to capture the froth.

“These exercises will continue till effective action is ensured,” the officials said.

Workers at the site said the bamboo structures would be taken down after the Chhath Puja is over.

The pollution in the Yamuna in Delhi is once again in focus as Chhath festivities are underway.

Early on Wednesday, a number of devotees had gathered at the Yamuna Ghat in Kalindi Kunj, downstream of the Okhla Barrage, but were dispersed by the police.

The city government has set up 800 makeshift ghats across Delhi for devotees to perform Chhath rituals.

The four-day-long festival of Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated by “Purvanchalis” from Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand settled in Delhi. During the festival, the devotees perform elaborate rituals by offering “Arghya” to the sun and observing fast. – PTI