Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Toxic Froth Resurfaces on Delhi's Yamuna River
A thick, toxic froth has reappeared on the Yamuna River in Delhi, making large parts of the river hard to see.
This froth is mixed with garbage like plastic, bottles, and even hair.
Experts say this is very bad for the river's health and the animals that live in it.
The water is also very dirty, with high levels of harmful things that can make people sick.
The government has rules to stop people from throwing trash into the river, but many people still do it.
Volunteers are trying to clean the river, but they say more needs to be done to keep the Yamuna clean and safe.
A thick layer of toxic froth resurfaced on the Yamuna River in Delhi, making large stretches nearly invisible.
The froth and garbage, including plastic and discarded items, accumulated heavily along the riverbank.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in the river exceeded safe limits, indicating severe pollution.
Fecal coliform bacteria levels were also extremely high, posing health risks and indicating sewage contamination.
Experts and volunteers highlighted the need for stricter monitoring and public awareness to tackle the pollution problem.
- Who
- Environmentalists, volunteers, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- What
- Toxic froth and garbage resurfaced on the Yamuna River, posing health risks and ecological disruption
- When
- Sunday, December 2025
- Where
- Yamuna ghat, Kalindi Kunj, Delhi
- Why
- Discharge of treated, partially treated, and untreated sewage through various drains
- Location
- Yamuna ghat, Kalindi Kunj, Delhi
- Pollutants
- Toxic froth, garbage, plastic, discarded bottles, flowers, chopped human hair, blades
- BOD Levels
- 25 mg/l at ITO Bridge, 24 mg/l at ISBT Bridge, 17 mg/l at Okhla Barrage
- Fecal Coliform Levels
- 92,000 at ISBT Bridge, 54,000 at Nizamuddin Bridge, 35,000 at ITO Bridge
- Safe BOD Limit
- 3 mg/l
- Desirable Fecal Coliform Limit
- 500 units per 100 ml
- Permissible Fecal Coliform Limit
- 2,500 units per 100 ml
- Penalty for Pollution
- Rs 5,000 under 'polluter pays' principle