Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Delhi Govt Approves Plan to Clean Yamuna
The Delhi government has approved a plan to clean the Yamuna river using 32 new high-capacity cleaning machines, including two special dredgers from Finland.
The cleaning will start in January 2025, focusing first on the Najafgarh drain, which is one of the biggest sources of pollution.
The government says this will help stop waste from entering the river.
However, the opposition has criticized the government for previous actions like creating a 'fake' Yamuna ghat and using chemicals to reduce foam in the river.
Meanwhile, a debate on air pollution is scheduled in Parliament today, with the opposition raising concerns over the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) and accusing the government of inaction.
The government has taken some anti-pollution measures, such as invoking GRAP 4 and banning vehicles without a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
The BJP has also launched a scathing attack on the previous AAP government for failing to address the pollution problem during their tenure.
Delhi government approves 32 high-capacity cleaning machines for Yamuna river, including two multipurpose dredgers from Finland.
Cleaning operations to begin in January 2025, with full deployment by March 2025, focusing on Najafgarh drain.
Opposition criticizes government for previous actions like creating a 'fake' Yamuna ghat and using chemicals to reduce foam.
Parliament debate scheduled for 2 pm today on worsening air quality and effectiveness of existing mitigation measures.
Government has taken anti-pollution measures like invoking GRAP 4 and banning vehicles without PUCC, but opposition accuses them of inaction.
- Who
- Delhi government led by Rekha Gupta, with opposition parties like Congress and AAP criticizing the government's efforts
- What
- Approval of 32 high-capacity cleaning machines for Yamuna river and a debate on air pollution in Parliament
- When
- Operations to begin in January 2025, full deployment by March 2025, Parliament debate scheduled for 2 pm today
- Where
- Najafgarh drain and other critical drains and stretches of the Yamuna, Delhi-NCR region
- Why
- To reduce pollution and fulfill election promises, and to discuss the worsening air quality and effectiveness of existing mitigation measures
BJP
Opposition (Congress, AAP)
Government's Efforts
BJP
The BJP government has approved 32 high-capacity cleaning machines, including two multipurpose dredgers from Finland, to clean the Yamuna river. They claim to be working in 'mission mode' to combat pollution and have taken several steps to tackle the issue.
Opposition (Congress, AAP)
The opposition criticizes the government for previous actions like creating a 'fake' Yamuna ghat and using chemicals to reduce foam in the river. They also accuse the government of inaction against the growing pollution menace in Delhi.
Previous Government's Performance
BJP
The BJP accuses the previous AAP government of failing to carry out basic civic works over the past decade, leaving the present administration to address long-pending issues.
Opposition (Congress, AAP)
The opposition holds the previous AAP government responsible for the current situation, but also criticizes the current government for not doing enough to address the pollution problem.
- Machines Approved
- 32 high-capacity cleaning machines, including 2 multipurpose dredgers from Finland
- Timeline
- Operations to begin in January 2025, with full deployment by March 2025
- Initial Focus
- Najafgarh drain, the highest contributor of pollution
- Political Context
- BJP's election promise to clean Yamuna within three years
- Opposition Criticism
- Allegations of 'fake' Yamuna ghat and use of chemical defoamers
- Air Quality Index (AQI)
- 358 in the 'very poor' category as of 10 am today
- Anti-pollution Measures
- GRAP 4 invoked, ban on vehicles without PUCC, ban on trucks carrying construction materials
- Government's Claims
- Over 20 lakh metric tonnes of waste removed, 65,000 potholes filled, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns installed
Sources
Inside Rekha Gupta led Delhi govt’s plan to clean Yamuna
32 machines to clean drains polluting Yamuna
'Kejriwal Misguided People of Delhi': BJP Targets AAP as Delhi Chokes on Toxic Air
Verma targets AAP over civic failures, says Delhi govt working in mission mode on pollution, infrastructure
Delhi pollution crisis: Parliament debate scheduled for 2 pm today
'Air pollution wasn't a 1-day issue': Delhi govt blames AAP
