AQI has crossed 350 in 9 areas of Delhi.
The level of pollution in Delhi is increasing continuously. For the past few days, Delhi's air has been continuously registering in the severe category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 9 am on Thursday, the AQI has crossed 367 in several monitoring stations in Delhi.
It includes Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur area. Meanwhile, the city will be shrouded in fog even during the day.
Similarly, 184.9 MGD of untreated sewage is flowing into Delhi's 22 km long Yamuna river from 122 small and large drains every day, which is the biggest cause of Yamuna pollution.
On November 6, toxic foam was seen in the Yamuna River in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area.
Bhaskar approached the Najafgarh drain at Nau Ghazapir and took pictures and samples of the sewage polluting the Yamuna. Based on this sample, skin disease experts say that putting hands in the water of Yamuna can cause skin diseases as well as other diseases.
According to government figures, the central and Delhi governments have spent more than 7 thousand crore rupees in the last 7 years for cleaning the Yamuna, but the reality is that the water in any part of the Yamuna in Delhi is not drinkable and not even worth touching.
Foam was seen in the Yamuna river flowing near Kalindi Kunj on Sunday morning.
Najafgarh is polluting 80 percent of Yamuna's water
According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), of these 122 drains, the Najafgarh drain is responsible for polluting the Yamuna water the most, with its effluent being released into the Yamuna through the Wazirabad barrage near Nau Ghazapir. The Najafgarh canal alone is polluting 80 percent of the Yamuna's water in Delhi.
6856 crore rupees were sanctioned in 5 years
According to DPCC data, in the 5 years between 2017-18 and 2020-21, an amount of Rs 6856.9 crore was sanctioned to various departments involved in cleaning the Yamuna. This amount was given to prevent sewage from falling into the Yamuna.
In the first six months of 2015 to 2023, the central government had given around Rs 1,200 crore to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for cleaning the Yamuna.
Experts said that the amount of ammonia and phosphate in Yamuna is very high.
Yamuna will have to be cleaned in a phased manner
National Physical Laboratory Chief Scientist Dr. RK Kotnala said – Delhi government's ineffective policies are responsible for pollution like foam and chemicals in Yamuna. 184.9 MGD of sewage is being released directly into Yamuna every day. STP plants are also being questioned that they are not up to standard.
Chemical and detergent wastes from industries are discharged untreated into the Yamuna. We have to work on phased policies to clean Yamuna.
Heavy fines and jail terms should be imposed on agencies that dump chemical-laden water and detergent waste into drains. It has to be ensured that not even a single drop of water from sewers to Yamuna goes untreated.
Devotees will come for Chhath Puja at Barrage of Kalindi Kunj in Okhla.
Chhath Puja banned on banks of Yamuna The Delhi High Court has refused permission to celebrate Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna. The court on Wednesday said that the river water is highly polluted. Celebrating this festival can spoil people's health.
The sixth season started from November 5
Mahavrat Chhath Puja has started from November 5 Tuesday. Nahay Khai on 5th November, Kharna on 6th November, arghya to the setting sun on 7th November and arghya to the rising sun on the morning of 8th November. On the day of Chhath Puja in the evening, arghya is offered to the sun. A person who fasts from morning on this day remains fasting and dehydrated. Thekua is made in Prasad.
Even after performing Surya Puja in the evening, a person who fasts at night remains waterless. On the fourth day i.e. on the morning of Saptami Tithi (November 8) the Vrata is completed after offering arghya to the rising sun.
Delhi's air is also polluted
Around 9 am, the sky was covered with fog. Photo is of India Gate.
Apart from the foam in the Yamuna, pollution is also seen in the air during Diwali. Fog was seen in Delhi's atmosphere on Thursday morning. Akshardham temple and surrounding areas were reported to be in a poor quality category.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
