Delhi, October 16, 2025 – As the Chhath Puja festival approaches, the Delhi government has announced that the Yamuna will be cleaned and prepared for ceremonial dips by devotees, with the toxic foam that typically mars the river’s surface removed. In preparation for the festival, the Delhi administration has employed several measures, including the release of additional water into the river and the use of chemical defoamers. These agents, delivered to the riverbank in several large blue drums over the past few days, have drawn sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hypocrisy.

The controversy revolves around the use of chemical de-foamers, substances designed to break down the bubbles of existing foam in the river and prevent new foam from forming. In 2022, the BJP, then in opposition in Delhi, had described similar chemicals used by the AAP government as “poison.” Today, however, under the BJP-led administration, the same chemicals are being hailed as an effective tool for pollution control, prompting the opposition to question the party’s consistency and intentions.

Saurabh Bharadwaj, the AAP Delhi president and former health minister, shared a video from October 2022 showing BJP water minister Parvesh Verma angrily confronting a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) official over the use of the defoamer. In the clip, Verma can be heard shouting, “Should I pour this chemical on your head? Aren’t you ashamed? People will come here to take a dip. Go, you take a dip first here!” The official, defending the use of the chemical, responded that it was approved for use, highlighting the earlier endorsement of its safety.

In a contrasting video from October 2025, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha visited the same riverbank where the chemicals were being deployed and pointed toward the blue drums labelled ‘defoamer concentrate.’ He addressed the camera, saying, “This chemical is being added to the Yamuna to remove the foam. I am showing this because there’s a BJP government in Delhi, and Parvesh Verma is a minister. I want to ask Parvesh Verma if now this is poison.” By juxtaposing the two incidents, the AAP has aimed to underline what it calls the BJP’s shifting stance on environmental management.

Despite the political arguments, officials maintain that the de-foaming chemicals are approved and safe for use in water bodies. The substances are typically used in industrial processes to break down froth and prevent the formation of new foam. Experts note that while de-foamers can provide a visible improvement in water quality, they address the symptoms of pollution rather than its root causes. Long-term improvement in river health, they argue, can only be achieved by reducing the discharge of untreated industrial and domestic effluents into the Yamuna.

DJB officials clarified that the de-foaming agent currently in use is a silicon dioxide-based compound with a poly-oxypropylene group. “Silicon dioxide is derived from silica or sand. It is used in a variety of everyday products, including shampoos, conditioners, and some medicines,” a Jal Board official said. Addressing concerns about toxicity, the official explained that dosage and concentration are critical: “Some videos on social media are circulating that discuss its toxicity, but it is important to understand that these compounds are being used at a dilution of 1:100, which is well within safe limits. We have seen visible improvement in the water quality after application.”

The current chemical intervention is part of a broader effort by the Delhi government to ensure that the river is safe for devotees during the Chhath festival, which involves ceremonial dips in the Yamuna. CM Rekha Gupta visited the riverbank on Thursday to inspect the progress of the de-foaming project. She reassured the public that the chemicals being used are environmentally friendly and have been approved by the relevant authorities, including the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Officials explained that the de-foaming process is complemented by other measures, such as increasing the flow of clean water from upstream sources to dilute pollutants. Together, these actions have significantly reduced the amount of froth typically seen on the river surface during this time of year. CM Gupta emphasized that the goal is to ensure that devotees can perform their rituals safely, without exposure to toxic foam or contaminants.

Environmental experts have noted that while the chemical approach provides a short-term solution for visible foam, it cannot substitute for comprehensive river management. They stress the need for stricter enforcement of pollution control regulations, treatment of sewage and industrial waste, and sustained monitoring to prevent recurrence. Without these long-term interventions, the Yamuna’s foam problem is likely to persist despite temporary mitigation measures like chemical de-foamers.

The political debate surrounding the use of these chemicals illustrates the intersection of governance, public health, and environmental management. While the BJP government presents the de-foamer as a necessary step to make the river safe for religious observances, the AAP frames it as a continuation of practices they once condemned, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in environmental policy enforcement. Such disputes have become increasingly common as urban rivers like the Yamuna remain under scrutiny for pollution, particularly during high-profile festivals such as Chhath.

Public reaction has been mixed. While many residents and devotees welcome the de-foaming initiative as a practical solution for the immediate festival period, environmental activists continue to urge caution. They emphasize that chemical treatments should be used sparingly and in conjunction with pollution reduction strategies, rather than as a standalone solution. This approach, they argue, will ensure both short-term safety and long-term sustainability for the river ecosystem.

The Yamuna de-foaming initiative also underscores the importance of public communication and transparency. Officials have made efforts to provide clear information on the chemical composition, safety, and expected outcomes of the de-foaming process. By addressing misinformation circulating on social media, authorities aim to build public trust and ensure that devotees feel confident while performing religious rituals in the river.

As Chhath approaches, the combined efforts of water release, chemical de-foamers, and increased monitoring of river quality are expected to create safer conditions for ceremonial dips. The administration’s emphasis on environmental approval and safety certification is designed to reassure both residents and visitors that their health is not being compromised.

In summary, the deployment of blue drums of chemical defoamers along the Yamuna has sparked a heated political exchange between the AAP and BJP. While the chemicals are scientifically approved and environmentally safe in the applied concentrations, the AAP has highlighted the BJP’s earlier criticisms to underscore a perceived political double standard. Despite the controversy, the immediate goal of the de-foaming exercise is clear: to ensure a safe and clean river for Chhath Puja rituals, while long-term river health continues to depend on broader pollution control measures.