Overview
- Delhi authorities reopened 17 Yamuna ghats for Chhath and cleared the Yamuna Bank Metro site after BJP intervention, while the I&FC department sought an additional Rs 33.03 crore and October 27 was declared a public holiday.
- PWD minister Parvesh Verma cited DPCC analysis to claim faecal coliform levels have fallen by over 90% versus 2024, with four of eight sampling points within or near the 2,500 MPN/100 ml limit, and BJP spokesperson Dr Anil Gupta publicly sipped river water while citing DO and pH data.
- DPCC’s October sampling showed deterioration at key locations compared with September, including faecal coliform of 21,000 MPN/100 ml and BOD of 37 mg/l at the ISBT bridge and dissolved oxygen dropping to zero at the city’s downstream exit point.
- Haryana has released about 7,900 cusecs of freshwater per day from Hathnikund since October 21 to boost flows, yet froth reappeared near Kalindi Kunj and workers were seen spraying anti-foam solutions on the river surface.
- AAP called the clean-up cosmetic, shared videos of defoaming, and challenged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to drink Yamuna water, warning that devotees could face health risks during Chhath.