New Delhi: The day following Diwali, BJP leader Shahzad Poonawala visited the Yamuna Ghat in Delhi, only to find a thick layer of foam polluting the river. Poonawala attributed this environmental issue to alleged corruption within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. According to Poonawala, approximately ₹7000 crore has been allocated over the past decade for cleaning the Yamuna River; however, he claimed that corruption has impeded these efforts, leading to persistent pollution.
Poonawala’s remarks come as preparations for Chhath Puja, a festival that includes rituals performed along riverbanks, are underway. The BJP leader criticized AAP’s approach to managing pollution before the festival, pointing out that the administration had used defoamer concentrate to clear the foam, creating a temporary solution that does not address the underlying water contamination. “This superficial cleanup will not truly cleanse the river,” he said, arguing that Delhi’s citizens, especially women performing Chhath Puja, are being exposed to health risks due to the continued presence of pollutants.
Poonawala also brought attention to Delhi’s broader air pollution issues, referring to the city as a “gas chamber” and claiming that AAP’s governance has worsened the quality of life for residents. “If you breathe, your lungs will get damaged, and if you drink the water, your stomach will get upset,” he remarked, underscoring the serious health risks.
In response to AAP’s allegations that neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are responsible for much of the pollution in Delhi, Poonawala emphasized that the AAP government should take accountability for the local environmental issues. He suggested that Delhi’s pollution problems, both in the air and water, are primarily due to mismanagement and alleged misuse of public funds.
With the upcoming festival season, concerns over Delhi’s pollution continue to rise, placing environmental accountability at the center of political debates between the BJP and AAP. The BJP is urging Delhi’s administration to adopt more sustainable and transparent measures to address pollution in the city.
