Every year as the winter sets in just prior to Diwali and Chhath Puja, Delhi NCR features in media reports over a significant decline in Air Quality Index (AQI) and the Yamuna river foaming with toxic bubbles. This year is no different.
Only few days back, a video went viral showing the pathetic state of Yamuna. The video shared by ‘Indian Tech & Infra’ on X has captured two people, who look like journalists, bobbing on the toxic foam. This post has the following caption – “Yamuna River condition, and people will take bath in it for Chhath Puja soon.”
Another similar video of X was also posted by journalist Shiv Aroor where he captioned it “The Yamuna in our national capital, ladies & gentlemen.” How proud of this show in a country that dreams of becoming a world power. This is the CAPITAL.”
The response of many of the X users was anger, regarding the video. “Your statement regarding Yamuna cleaning made me to questions where has all the money gone YAMUNA THE CLEANING MACHINE? As it is I wish no politics were played here and center and state could come to address this alarming situation.” Another user noted how, “This should be their urgent issue they address.” Our rivers require everyone on board. this is what I want to see my tax being used for.”
The video, posted on X by the account Indian Tech & Infra, shows the river filled with a thick layer of foam, as the reporter and the boat driver travelling in the dangerous zone.
Some of the dangers of using this poisonous foam have been criticised by various professionals, especially when people are more outside in festivities. Every year the country sees similar fate, but the outcome never changes.
Bhim Singh Rawat, Associate Coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People (SANDRP), said to PTI, “It is strange that while the upper segment of the Yamuna is known to witness major flood events, none have occurred during the just-concluded south-west monsoon of 2024.”
Heavy rain, storms, and receiving poor quality from service suppliers result to high pollution levels.
Rawat adds that this is quite uncommon, as a couple of low or medium floods happen either every year or some couple of months. He said that water pollution is a major issue and said that white foam that was seen during monsoon this year, has been seen more during festive season.
At the same time, Delhi AQI has decreased to 226 at 8 am on Saturday according to the CPCB, which classifies it as ‘Poor’. The areas most affected are Akshardham and Anand Vihar with AQI at 334 in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Air quality index of the capital city in the vicinity to AIIMS and nearby areas was as bad as the India Gate recording 253 and 251 respectively which falls under the ‘Poor’ category.
Yamuna: Poor quality of air as they approach the winter season
The Central Pollution Control Board cautions that an AQI in the ‘Poor’ range can result in breathing troubles for most people in highly polluted conditions, and an AQI from the ‘Very Poor’ range may bring on respiratory sicknesses.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday spoke about the problem Popularly known as the world’s most polluted capital’ Delhi’s air quality worsens with each passing day vice especially during the winter season. He said that Wazirpur documented the highest AQI levels and said that overlapping sub city has been given the responsibility of finding the sources that are causing declining air quality.
