How Delhi govt is controlling toxic froth over Yamuna for Chhath

Amid criticism over the formation of toxic foam in the Yamuna river, the Delhi government on Wednesday deployed several tactics to control the froth. According to the reports, the Delhi government used as many as 15 boats to remove the froth with the help of ropes.

Besides, water was being sprinkled from the banks of Yamuna over the river to dissipate the toxic foam. A Delhi Jal Board employee was seen conducting the exercise.

This comes after several pictures and videos showing devotees offering prayers in the Yamuna on the occasion of Chhath Puja with foam floating on the surface of the river had gone viral on social media sites.

According to the reports, the primary reason behind the formation of foam in the Yamuna is high phosphate content in detergents used in dyeing industries, dhobi ghats and households in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

The poor quality of effluent discharged from Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) is another reason.

The reports further mentioned that the 22-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna between Wazirabad and Okhla, which is less than 2 per cent of its length of 1,370 kilometres from Yamunotri to Allahabad, accounts for around 80 per cent of the pollution load in the river.

Last week, the DDMA, which is headed by L-G Anil Baijal, passed directions allowing the public celebration of Chhath Pooja at designated areas, which exclude any site on the banks of the Yamuna.