New Delhi | October 14, 2025 — Ahead of the Chhath festival, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday vowed that this year’s celebrations will not be marred by froth on the Yamuna River, a recurring pollution issue that has long embarrassed city administrations. Gupta, who leads the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the capital, said that “fast-paced work” was underway to rejuvenate the river and ensure a clean Yamuna for devotees.
“No Froth This Time” — Rekha Gupta’s Assurance
“The Delhi Jal Board and Water Minister are working hard. I can assure the people of Delhi that they will not see any froth on the Yamuna during Chhath this year,” Gupta said, addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat.
The chief minister’s declaration comes just days ahead of Diwali (October 20) and the four-day-long Chhath festivalbeginning on October 25. In previous years, visuals of devotees standing in froth-laden, toxic water during Chhath rituals had triggered outrage and mockery on social media, drawing severe criticism from opposition parties and environmental activists.
A Persistent Problem
Every year after Diwali, the Yamuna’s pollution levels spike, with its surface covered in thick white foam. This foam, composed mainly of ammonia, phosphates, and industrial effluents, results from the unchecked discharge of untreated sewage and factory waste into the river.
The spectacle of worshippers performing Chhath Puja amid toxic froth had previously become a symbol of civic neglect, especially under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The BJP, then in opposition, frequently cited these images as proof of the AAP government’s failure to deliver on its long-standing “Clean Yamuna” promise.
Poll Pledge and Clean-Up Drive
Rekha Gupta, who became chief minister in February 2025 after the BJP unseated AAP following over a decade in power, reiterated her government’s commitment to restoring the Yamuna’s health.
“Work on cleaning and rejuvenating the river is going on at full speed,” Gupta said. “Existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being upgraded, new ones are being tendered, and drone mapping is being used to identify and plug drains releasing untreated waste into the river.”
The CM also announced an amnesty scheme on pending water bills, saying the initiative was part of her government’s broader water management reforms.
“I hope that with time, Delhi will see the Yamuna restored to its natural, clean state,” she added.
Preparations for Chhath Along Yamuna Banks
Officials said the Delhi government has identified 1,000 sites across the city for Chhath celebrations this year, including several along the Yamuna riverbanks. Departments have been directed to ensure cleanliness, water sprinkling, safety measures, and traffic management around all puja ghats.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been tasked with removing water hyacinth and ensuring clean water flow for devotees performing rituals.
“The aim is to make Chhath celebrations grand, safe, and free from pollution this year,” said a senior official involved in the planning.
Yamuna: A Political Flashpoint
The Yamuna’s condition has long been a political flashpoint in Delhi’s politics. In the run-up to the 2025 Assembly elections, both BJP and AAP placed river rejuvenation high on their manifestos.
While AAP blamed the neighbouring Haryana government—ruled by the BJP—for releasing pollutants into Delhi’s share of the river, BJP leaders accused AAP of squandering ₹8,000 crore on failed clean-up projects.
“Cities are built around rivers, but here in Delhi, the Yamuna is so polluted that people can’t even go near it,” BJP MP Parvesh Verma had said earlier this year. “If the water of the Yamuna were clean, Delhi could use it for drinking. But Kejriwal’s government did nothing for 11 years despite huge spending.”
In a symbolic protest before the elections, Verma even immersed a cut-out of Arvind Kejriwal into the froth-covered Yamuna, accusing the former CM of betraying his promise to “clean the river or not seek votes again.”
BJP’s Promise: Clean Yamuna in Three Years
As part of its 2025 manifesto, the BJP pledged to deliver a “Clean Yamuna within three years”, using advanced sewage treatment infrastructure and stricter pollution control measures. Gupta’s latest assurance suggests the party is keen to demonstrate early progress on that front, especially with Chhath being one of Delhi’s largest community festivals and politically significant among Purvanchali voters, who form a sizeable section of the capital’s electorate.
Environmental Concerns Remain
Environmentalists, while welcoming the chief minister’s commitment, remain cautiously optimistic. “Every year, governments make promises before Chhath, but the fundamental issue—untreated sewage entering the river—remains unresolved,” said an expert with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
“Cleaning the Yamuna requires coordinated action across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The use of drones and upgraded STPs is a good sign, but results will only show if enforcement improves.”
A Test of Credibility
For Rekha Gupta’s administration, this year’s Chhath festival will be an early credibility test. The BJP government has not only promised a froth-free Yamuna, but also pledged visible change in the capital’s riverfront management by the end of the year.
If the riverbanks remain clean and safe for devotees this time, it could help the new CM consolidate goodwill among Delhi’s working-class and migrant communities—many of whom observe Chhath with great devotion.
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