New Delhi: The Delhi High Court denied a request to hold Chhath Puja at Geeta Colony’s Yamuna riverbank, citing severe pollution risks. The court stated that the river’s pollution is so severe that dipping into it could likely cause harm.
Delhi government counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi informed the court that the Yamuna’s pollution levels pose health risks to devotees. He also mentioned the government’s provision of 1,000 alternative sites across Delhi, ensuring safety and necessary facilities for Chhath Puja celebrations.
The court’s ruling aligns with its stance in the Shabnam Burney case, recognizing worsening pollution in the Yamuna.
This decision comes amid troubling visuals of toxic foam accumulating on the river’s surface, especially near Kalindi Kunj.
Despite these conditions, many devotees performed ritual baths in the river on Tuesday to mark the beginning of Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja holds significant cultural importance for Delhi’s Purvanchali community, mainly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The Purvanchali community makes up 30-40% of Delhi’s electorate, a crucial demographic ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
