The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 14 June 2026: Under the leadership of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi Government on Sunday organised a mega cleaning drive simultaneously across 28 ghats and riverbank locations in the capital as part of the Yamuna Riverbank Cleanliness Campaign 2026, turning its commitment to a clean, pristine and free-flowing Yamuna into a people’s movement. The Chief Minister personally visited Geeta Colony Ghat, led the cleanliness drive, took part in the cleaning activity and actively joined citizens and volunteers in removing waste from the riverbank.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Yamuna is not merely a river but a source of faith, culture and life for crores of people. She said that if people continue to pollute the Yamuna, the purpose of any form of worship cannot truly be fulfilled. Maintaining the cleanliness of the river, she added, is a shared responsibility that requires both the government and society to work together. She said the government is undertaking large-scale efforts to clean the Yamuna, but citizens must also play their part. Appealing to the public, she urged people not to throw any kind of waste, plastic, religious offerings, flowers, garlands, idols or other materials into the river. She noted that a large quantity of broken idols, garments used for deities, worship materials wrapped in plastic and other waste had been removed from the riverbanks during the drive, indicating the need for changes in public habits and behaviour as well.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that thousands of Delhi residents and volunteers had carried out the cleanliness drive simultaneously along nearly 22 kilometres of the Yamuna riverfront across different parts of the capital, setting an exemplary example of public participation. She said the campaign would not remain limited to a single day and that the Delhi Government would continue to organise similar drives regularly at various locations, inviting citizens to participate from time to time. Expressing confidence in the effort, she said that through public participation and sustained action, Delhi residents would one day witness the Yamuna in its clean, pristine and uninterrupted form.
Projects Worth Over ₹1,000 Crore to Restore the Yamuna’s Former Glory
The Chief Minister said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s Swachh Bharat campaign and vision for environmental conservation, the Delhi Government has placed Yamuna rejuvenation among its highest priorities. In this direction, the government is working in mission mode to prevent pollution from entering the river, strengthen sewage management and promote water conservation. She said several projects related to Yamuna rejuvenation and water management are being fast-tracked, with projects worth more than ₹1,000 crore already approved. Under the AMRUT scheme, 12 new decentralised sewage treatment plants are being set up in the Najafgarh area at a cost of ₹860 crore to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Najafgarh Drain and the Yamuna. In addition, work is being undertaken on the upgradation of the Keshopur STP, promotion of rainwater harvesting and several other important water conservation initiatives.
Massive Public Participation as Citizens Reaffirm Commitment to Cleaning the Yamuna
The large-scale campaign was conducted simultaneously at 28 ghats and riverfront locations, including Chilla Village Ghat, Nizamuddin Ghat, Thokar No. 14 Geeta Colony Ghat, Thokar No. 18 Gandhi Nagar Ghat, Old Yamuna Bridge Ghat, Signature Bridge-Wazirabad Ghat (Eastern Bank), Zero Pushta Radha-Krishna Ghat (Sonia Vihar), Dhai Pushta Ghat (Sonia Vihar), Chautha Pushta Ghat (Sonia Vihar), Kalindi Kunj Ghat, ITO Ghat, Ram Ghat, Kali Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Surghat, Vasudev Ghat, Railway Bridge Upstream, ITO Downstream (Eastern Bank), ITO Upstream (Right Bank), Sarai Kale Khan, Yamuna Bank, Thokar No. 13, Kudesia Ghat, Nigam Bodh Ghat, Eastern Bank (Downstream of Wazirabad), Signature Bridge (Western Bank), Mayur Vihar Yamuna Khadar and Kalindi Kunj Downstream (Eastern Bank). At all these locations, public representatives, government officials, more than 500 social and voluntary organisations, thousands of volunteers and local residents participated in the cleanliness drive and renewed their commitment to making the Yamuna clean, pristine and free-flowing.
Citizens Must Also Contribute to Keeping the Yamuna Clean: CM
During the campaign, the Chief Minister administered a collective pledge on Yamuna cleanliness to citizens, volunteers and representatives of various organisations. Participants pledged not to immerse worship materials, flowers, garlands or idols in the river, not to use polythene or single-use plastics, not to throw old clothes, garbage or any form of waste into the river, to actively contribute to keeping the riverbanks clean and beautiful and to spread awareness about Yamuna cleanliness among others. The Chief Minister said that maintaining the cleanliness of the Yamuna is not solely the responsibility of the government but the duty of every citizen and that only through public participation can the river regain its pristine and uninterrupted character.
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