New Delhi: The dire condition of the River Yamuna has once again come into the spotlight, thanks to a video shared by senior journalist Jitender Sharma. The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows an India News reporter navigating through a mountain of toxic foam while aboard a small boat in the river. The visual starkly highlights the deteriorating state of the Yamuna, just as the city prepares for the annual Chhath Puja festivities.
Jitender Sharma, who recently joined the ITV Network, used the video as a platform to call out the Delhi government’s unmet promises regarding the river’s clean-up. Ahead of Chhath Puja, a festival celebrated with fervor along the banks of the Yamuna, the local authorities had once again assured the public that the river would be fit for the religious rituals. However, Sharma’s video exposes the gap between these promises and the grim reality.
The toxic foam, which forms as a result of high pollution levels, industrial waste, and untreated sewage, has become an annual occurrence in the Yamuna. Despite years of efforts by successive governments, the river continues to suffer from extreme pollution levels, making it hazardous for both humans and wildlife.
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In the footage shared by Sharma, the India News reporter can be seen wading through thick layers of foam that have accumulated on the river’s surface. The foam is primarily a result of untreated industrial discharge, phosphates from detergents, and domestic waste entering the river untreated. This visual encapsulates the environmental crisis that the Yamuna faces year after year, regardless of political changes.
The video has also sparked a broader conversation on social media, with many users expressing their frustration over the lack of visible improvement despite years of projects and financial investments aimed at cleaning the river. Several users echoed Sharma’s sentiment, questioning whether the authorities were truly committed to addressing the Yamuna’s pollution problem or merely offering empty promises.