Yamuna Cleaning Claims Spark Political Row Between BJP and AAP in Delhi

Yamuna Clean-Up Claims and Political Clash

Recent claims by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari regarding the cleanup of a significant portion of the Yamuna River ahead of Chhath Puja have triggered a sharp political dispute between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi.

Manoj Tiwari's Visit and Claims

• Dip and Water Consumption: BJP Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari visited the Sonia Vihar ghat, took a dip in the Yamuna, and shared a video of himself drinking the river water.
• Clean-up Extent: Tiwari claimed that nearly 30 kilometers—representing more than half of the 58-kilometer stretch of the Yamuna flowing through Delhi—has been cleaned over the past year.
• Attribution: He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Water Minister Parvesh Verma for the ongoing efforts.
• Biodiversity and Infrastructure: Tiwari noted the presence of birds as a sign of environmental improvement and called for the development of permanent ghats and ponds for Chhath Puja rather than temporary setups.

AAP's Counter-Allegations

• Historical Cleanliness: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj disputed Tiwari's claims, asserting that the 26-kilometer stretch between Palla and Wazirabad has historically remained comparatively clean.
• Impact of Drains: Bharadwaj claimed that pollution levels rise significantly only after the Najafgarh drain meets the river near the Signature Bridge.
• Dilution Claims: The AAP leader alleged that the perceived improvement was due to additional water released from the Hathnikund barrage by the Haryana government, similar to arrangements reported during previous festival seasons.
• Open Challenge: Bharadwaj challenged Manoj Tiwari and Water Minister Parvesh Verma to drink water from the Yamuna at the Kalindi Kunj ghat.

Union Minister's Remarks

Amidst the ongoing verbal exchange, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Tiwari's social media post by playfully suggesting a swimming competition between the two in the supposedly cleaner river water.

How to Verify Original Announcements

To verify official claims regarding river pollution levels and cleaning initiatives, citizens and researchers should refer to reports and data published by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) or official updates from municipal bodies rather than relying solely on political statements or social media videos.