The Hindu Bureau
As the Yamuna’s water level in Delhi rises ahead of Chhath Puja, which will be celebrated from October 25-28, a fresh political row has erupted between the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Haryana’s decision to divert nearly all water from the Hathnikund Barrage towards the river.
According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, since October 21 morning, water released into the Western and Eastern Yamuna Canals, primarily used for irrigation in Uttar Pradesh, has dropped to almost zero, while nearly the entire flow has been directed towards the Yamuna’s Delhi stretch. Officials say this move will dilute pollutants and temporarily improve the river’s water quality.
A Delhi government official confirmed that the increased flow had already begun to improve water quality. “Due to earlier floods and the current release, the Yamuna’s condition will continue to improve over the next few days,” the official said, describing it as an “unprecedented” step.
‘Temporary illusion’
