India, June 29 -- Stepping into the Yamuna riverfront with volunteers and residents, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday launched a renewed push for public participation in the capital's river-cleaning efforts, announcing that the government will organise weekly cleanliness, Yamuna clean-up and tree plantation drives every Sunday across the city. The Chief Minister participated in a shramdaan programme at the Yamuna Ghat in Chilla Village under the 'Clean Delhi with CM' campaign, where youth volunteers, social organisations and local residents joined in collecting waste from the riverbank. Addressing participants, Gupta stressed that restoring the Yamuna requires collective responsibility. "The Yamuna is not just a river, but Delhi's memory, culture and lifeline. Keeping it clean, pure and free-flowing is not only the responsibility of the government but the shared responsibility of every citizen," she said. Also Read - Delhi SIR begins tomorrow; draft electoral roll to be published on Aug 5 Highlighting the government's ongoing efforts, the Chief Minister said work is underway to modernise sewage treatment plants, establish decentralised STPs, expand the sewer network and tap drains discharging into the Yamuna. "In the future, no untreated drain will flow directly into the Yamuna," she said. Appealing to citizens to avoid dumping puja materials, plastic, construction debris and other waste into the river, Gupta announced that the government will set up dedicated collection centres across Delhi for the disposal of religious offerings and damaged idols. According to the government, the collected material will be scientifically recycled. Also Read - AC blast triggers fire on 21st floor flat in Noida high-rise; no casualties The Chief Minister also announced that the Delhi Government will organise cleanliness drives, Yamuna cleaning campaigns and tree plantation programmes every Sunday to encourage sustained public participation. "Only the combined efforts of the government and the people can realise the vision of a clean, pure and free-flowing Yamuna," she said. During the event, volunteers demonstrated how plastic waste collected from the river can be recycled into benches, dustbins and other public utility items. Appreciating the initiative, Gupta said, "The Delhi Government will extend all possible support to such innovations and circular economy-based initiatives." The Chief Minister also interacted with young environmental volunteers participating in the campaign and thanked citizens and social organisations for joining the drive, saying community participation would play an important role in sustaining the Yamuna clean-up efforts.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.