A political dispute and public backlash emerged as the Delhi government put out a tender worth Rs 6.2 crore for two “VIP inspection boats” to monitor the Yamuna river. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department released the tender on March 12, aiming to purchase two boats at an estimated cost of Rs 3.1 crore each for river monitoring and official visits.
The decision faced criticism from the Congress party, with National Secretary Abhishek Dutt accusing the government of prioritizing expensive boats over addressing the river’s pollution issues. Dutt highlighted the presence of pink foam in the Yamuna, a sign of high pollution levels, and questioned the allocation of funds for boats amidst environmental concerns.
In response to the backlash, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht attributed the Yamuna’s pollution to long-standing neglect by previous administrations. Bisht acknowledged the historical lack of effluent treatment plants, emphasizing the current government’s efforts to address pollution and clean the river, despite inheriting the issue only a year ago.
BJP MLA Anil Goyal defended the government’s actions, citing ongoing initiatives to clean the Yamuna and install treatment plants for the numerous drains flowing into the river. Despite these efforts, local residents expressed worry over the visible pollution and froth in the water, urging authorities to prioritize cleaning the river before investing in additional projects.
