New Delhi [India], November 8 (ANI): Devotees took a dip in the Yamuna river that had a thick layer of foam“>toxic foam near Kalindi Kunj on the first day of Chhath Puja on Monday. The people expressed their disappointment with the quality of water in the river.\
“Taking a dip in the river has significance in Chhath Puja. I have come here but the water is dirty. It is causing a lot of problems for us. Diseases can also happen due to this. But we are helpless. The cleanliness of water and ghats is much better in Bihar. Delhi government should make sure that the ghats are cleaned,” said Kalpana.
Sushma, who was also there for a dip, added, “The water is extremely dirty, but what we can do? We have to take our bath. I am from Banka, Bihar. The water in Sultanganj is really good. But we had to come here since our family lives here.”
Shakeel, a local resident, highlighted that the foam has been there for about a month now.
“I am a diver and have been living here for the last 25 years. People bathe using soaps and shampoos and wash their clothes too. Water from every household and water from drains is coming here. This results in the formation of the foam. This foam has been forming in the river for a month,” he said.
According to experts, the foam“>toxic foam is due to high phosphate content following the discharge of industrial pollutants including detergents into the river. Ammonia levels in the river have also been increasing. Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God and is mainly observed by the people from Bihar, Jharkhand and bordering areas in Uttar Pradesh.
As per the Hindu tradition, devotees worship the Sun God and his wife Usha to express gratitude and seek their blessings. Devotees gather and take a holy dip in rivers, ponds, and other water bodies during the four-day festivities.
This year, the festival will begin from November 8 with the ‘Nahai Khai’ ritual and will conclude on November 11 with devotees performing ‘Usha Arghya’ (prayers to the rising sun). The main celebration is on November 10 when devotees will offer ‘argha’ to Sun God.
Water supply hit in several parts of Delhi after ammonia levels rise in Yamuna
New Delhi [India], November 7 (ANI): Due to the increase in ammonia level pollution in the Yamuna water supply in parts of Delhi has been disrupted on Sunday, according to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
Treatment and pumping of water treatment plants in the city have been affected, resulting in a massive disruption of supply. These are the Sonia Vihar, Bhagirathi, Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants.
A press note from the Delhi Jal Board state that supply would be affected in the evening on Saturday and in the morning and evening on Sunday. Areas that will be affected include East Delhi, Northeast Delhi, South Delhi, parts of the New Delhi Municipal Council area, and parts of Burari, Model Town, Jahangirpuri, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Civil Lines, Sarita Vihar, Vasant Kunj, Moolchand and Greater Kailash.
While talking to ANI, Neeti Verma, resident of Yamuna Vihar said “We don’t have a water supply since yesterday and this happens every 2 months. Tap water is yellowish and pungent, so we have to buy water from shops.” “The water wasn’t supplied since last night, without informing, so we couldn’t store any. We don’t have any information on when the water will be supplied,” another local resident of Katwaria Sarai said.
Sunny, Malviya Nagar resident also said “They cut our water supply in the morning and gave the notice afterward. Industrial waste is disposed of in the Yamuna. Govt is not taking any concrete step”.
Delhi govt organising Chhath Puja at 1,100 places, says MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj
The Delhi government is organizing Chhath Puja at about 1,100 places at its own expense and the work includes digging of Chhath Ghat, tents, sound, Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly Saurabh Bhardwaj told ANI. “Chhath Puja is organized on the largest scale in South Delhi at Millennium Park, Chirag Delhi. This is a permanent ghat. A few days ago, Durga idol immersion took place here. Now it is being cleaned. Keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also digging another ghat, so that social distancing is maintained among the people,” said Bhardwaj.
On BJP’s protest against the Delhi government for not giving permission for Chhath Puja on the banks of Yamuna, he said, “Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decides which festival will be celebrated where and what will be the restrictions regarding COVID-19. Its chairman is Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, who is the representative of the central government in Delhi. If Manoj Tiwari or any other BJP leader has any problem, then he should talk to his central government and LG. Whatever solution comes out, we will welcome it.”
“All the parks in Delhi belong to either DDA or MCD. Two years ago, the councilors of MCD were not allowing Chhath Ghat to be built in our place. When we staged a dharna, they obeyed. After that the councilor of GK-1 got the welding done at the gate of DDA Park so that Chhath Puja could not be celebrated,” he added while talking about BJP’s leader’s attempts. “New Purvanchali people protested. Then welding was broken and Chhath Puja was celebrated. If the Delhi government wants to do some good work, then the BJP puts obstacles in it. But there is so much power in Chhath goddess and the faith of the people is so much that, even after making a lot of efforts, they are not able to stop it,” he added. (ANI)
