Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 29: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has claimed that nearly 30 km of the 58-km stretch of the Yamuna flowing through Delhi has been cleaned ahead of the Chhath festival, triggering a political exchange with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which questioned the claim and alleged that the river's pollution problem remained unresolved.

During a visit to the Yamuna, Tiwari said the government's priority was to ensure that residents could celebrate Chhath Puja near cleaner rivers and natural water bodies. Pointing to birds seen around the river, he said their presence indicated signs of improvement in the surrounding environment.

“I am not claiming that we have cleaned Yamuna-ji 58 kilometres from Delhi. But we have cleaned Yamuna-ji more than half, i.e. almost 30 km,” Tiwari said.

The BJP leader credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi minister Parvesh Verma for the efforts to clean the river. He also said water quality was being monitored at different locations along the Yamuna and argued that the progress should be assessed through the work carried out rather than political statements or social media posts.

Tiwari highlighted the connection between Chhath Puja and the conservation of water bodies. He said devotees should be encouraged to celebrate the festival near natural sources of water, including rivers and lakes, instead of relying solely on temporary arrangements in parks.

He called for the development of permanent ghats and ponds, arguing that such facilities would be more beneficial than temporary pits dug for the festival and filled up afterwards. He said the festival should also serve as an opportunity to encourage people to protect water resources and maintain cleanliness.

The BJP MP said further work was planned to improve the river, including dredging. He noted that water levels varied along different stretches and said dredging could help improve navigation.

“We are going to work on that too. Now we are going to do dredging. Because our navigators know the route from where to go,” he said.

Responding to criticism from former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders, Tiwari maintained that his visit was not intended to embarrass political opponents.

“I am not someone who is doing this to embarrass Arvind Kejriwal. No. We aim to give a clean Yamuna to the people of Delhi,” he said.

Tiwari also stressed the importance of protecting the river's biodiversity, pointing to birds and other wildlife in the area. He said research and conservation efforts were also being undertaken to support the ecosystem.

However, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj challenged Tiwari's claims, arguing that the relatively cleaner stretch of the Yamuna in northern Delhi had been comparatively clean for years and that the BJP was taking credit for conditions that existed earlier.

In a post on X, Bharadwaj said the 26-km stretch between Palla and Wazirabad had historically been comparatively clean. He claimed that the stretch was even cleaner during the previous AAP government and cited Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reports in support of his argument.

Bharadwaj said the situation changed after the Najafgarh drain joined the Yamuna near Signature Bridge. He claimed the drain carried around 862 million gallons per day (MGD) of water and contributed significantly to pollution in the river beyond its initial 26-km stretch in Delhi.

The AAP leader also referred to last year's controversy over water quality ahead of Chhath Puja. He alleged that the Haryana government had been asked by the Centre to release additional water from the Hathnikund barrage, which, according to him, diluted the pollution load in the Yamuna.

“Stupid BJP leaders does not know the basics of Delhi,” Bharadwaj said, accusing BJP leaders of using the relatively cleaner stretch to mislead residents about the condition of the river.

He also referred to last year's controversy over what he described as a “Nakli Yamuna” and alleged that public money had been spent on the project.

Bharadwaj challenged Tiwari and Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma to drink water from the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj Ghat, questioning the river's water quality.

“I invite Manoj Tiwari and Water Minister Parvesh Verma to drink water at Kalindi Kunj Ghat,” he said, claiming that the BJP leaders had avoided a similar challenge last year and would do so again.

With Chhath Puja approaching, the competing claims have brought the Yamuna's pollution levels and the progress of its cleaning efforts back into focus. While the BJP has highlighted the work it says has been completed, the AAP has questioned whether the claims reflect improvements across the river or primarily concern the stretch that has traditionally been comparatively cleaner.