On a day bearing cultural significance and celebrated as "bhai-dooj", Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today assured people that the Yamuna river would be cleaned within five years.
While Kejriwal credited his Aam Aadmi Party government with taking a major initiative towards cleaning up the Yamuna through "Yamuna Aarti", environment activist and convener of Yamuna Jiyo Abhiyan (YJA) Manoj Mishra underscored the need to bring out a "white paper" on the affairs of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and its sewerage systems as a first step.
"The city's lifeline has been dying and a beginning has been made today and all the ministers of Delhi are here and we are taking a pledge that we will revive the Yamuna within five years," said Kejriwal who along with his cabinet colleagues and senior Delhi government officials, participated in the government-organised 'Yamuna Aarti' near Kudesia Ghat and ISBT Bridge in the Capital.
Stating that a plan has been chalked out to prevent any flow of drains in the Yamuna in next one-two years, the Chief Minister elaborated that a new company was being formed with the Union Urban Development Ministry on the line of Delhi Metro, in which the Delhi Government and the Central government each would have 50 per cent partnership.
"The entire land of Yamuna and its banks, from Palla to Okhla will be transferred to the company to look into any disputes. One company should be responsible for cleaning the river, arranging water and redeveloping its banks," the CM added.
Efforts are underway both by his government and the Centre towards restoration and rejuvenation of Yamuna, Kejriwal pointed out while referring to the Special Purpose Vehicle whose exact contours are yet to be made public.
Delhi Water and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said Yamuna has been neglected for years and the previous government during 2006-2007 allocated crores of funds for its cleaning but nothing much changed while pointing out that more than connecting rivers across the country, it is first important to connect people to rivers.
"If you had seen this Ghat a month ago....Our government is taking several steps to improve condition of the river. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is trying to clean Najafgarh drain and efforts are on. It is time for us to pledge to contribute towards the cause of Yamuna restoration," said the Minister.
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