Yamuna Froths Again: Delhi's Pollution Crisis Returns Unaddressed

The Yamuna River in Delhi is once again presenting a stark visual of severe pollution, marked by thick white froth at Kalindi Kunj. This return of pollution, complete with stench and foam, occurs as the urgency to address the issue appears to have waned, unlike the decisive action taken last October ahead of Chhath Puja. During that period, the Delhi government initiated daily inspections and significant freshwater releases from the Hathnikund Barrage, which temporarily masked the problem.

Environmental activists argue that the current situation is a direct consequence of untreated wastewater entering the river, exacerbated by a virtual absence of freshwater flow, a situation sharply contrasted with the nearly 10 cusecs of flow observed last October. Structural issues, such as permanently open ITO gates and pollutant-trapping barrages like Kalindi Kunj, are cited as contributing factors. Doubts have also been cast on the credibility of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) recent river water quality assessments, which reportedly showed improvements despite the visible return of severe pollution.

Experts and activists warn that without sustained year-round environmental flows and consistently functional sewage treatment plants, the recurring frothing of the Yamuna will persist. The reliance on DPCC data by the Central Pollution Control Board for monitoring within Delhi, coupled with the apparent decline in oversight when the river is outside political and festive spotlight, raises concerns. While three stalled dam projects on the Yamuna are being reviewed by the Centre and Delhi government, aimed at improving e-flow, critics emphasize that temporary, event-driven measures are insufficient for long-term river health.