Swachh Yamuna: Delhiites join forces to clean up the river

Every time Delhiites cross the Yamuna, they squirm at the very sight (and smell of it) of it. Many even complain about the level of pollution in the river, which has given it the infamous ‘naala’ tag. But how often does one actually do something about improving the quality of the river?

Stepping up to the task, a few Delhiites have begun cleaning the Yamuna, one drive at a time. Bhanu Pratap Tiwari and Ashok Upadhyay felt that the river they consider a goddess needs some help and formed a group called Maa Shri Yamuna Seva Samiti. They got some friends to join in, reached out to trader unions nearby, sought help from Neetu Tripathi, councillor, MCD Shakarpur, and organised their first drive earlier this month.

“I didn’t want to just sit and watch as people polluted the river. The first drive had only a few people, and many even discouraged me saying that I won’t be able to get support. However, the trader unions volunteered to help, and Neetu Tripathi ma’am promised us her support. She even joined the drive and helped us clean the banks and the river,” says Tiwari, who also got volunteers to plant saplings, this time around.

The group, this time stronger in numbers, got together on Sunday morning and spent two hours tidying up the Chhath Ghat area. The group included professionals, political figures, as well as students from Delhi University (DU) who promised to get more friends next time.

“When I saw what the river looked like this morning, I was shocked. My friend got me here as he heard about the drive, and the hours we spent helping around was worth it,” says Vikesh Sardana, a DU student. Tripathi adds, “We have plans to expand the drive, once more people come in, and clean the Yamuna flowing through Delhi.”

We have plans to expand the drive, once more people come in, and clean the Yamuna flowing through Delhi. The work on Chhath Ghat is just the start... It’s in our capable hands to make this change, and we will!

NEETU TRIPATHI

COUNCILLOR, MCD SHAKARPUR

THE NEXT DRIVE IS SCHEDULED FOR 9AM ON NOVEMBER 23. PEOPLE CAN JOIN IN, AND BRING SAPLINGS, GLOVES OR CLEANING SUPPLIES

PHOTOS: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT Idols of Hindu gods and goddesses left on the banks of the Yamuna river at Chhath Ghat

Volunteers participating in the cleanliness drive

Volunteers of Maa Shri Yamuna Seva Samiti who participated in the cleanliness drive at Chhath Ghat

Volunteers cleaning up the garbage on the river bank