New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched the ‘Main Bhi Yamuna Prahari’ app at the Sports Complex of Delhi University (DU) under the Seva Sankalp campaign. Registration on the app was also opened on the occasion. Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra was also present.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the cleanliness of the Yamuna was not solely the government’s responsibility and that the campaign could become a people’s movement only through the active participation of every citizen of Delhi, particularly the youth. She appealed to students and teachers of Delhi University, social organisations and residents of Delhi to join the ‘Yamuna Prahari’ campaign in large numbers.

The Chief Minister said that on October 18, thousands of students from 30 Delhi University colleges would come together to pledge their commitment to the cleanliness and conservation of the Yamuna and become part of the public campaign. She said the initiative launched today was not merely an event, but an important step towards strengthening civic responsibility towards the Yamuna.

Gupta said that questions were often raised about who would resolve challenges such as pollution, garbage mountains and the cleanliness of the Yamuna in Delhi. She said these problems could not be addressed through government efforts alone and required a partnership between the government and society. She noted that certain everyday practices of citizens, often unintentionally, also contributed to pollution in the Yamuna. Immersing puja materials, flowers and garlands, damaged idols and other articles in the river placed additional pressure on the river. Therefore, along with large-scale government initiatives, changes in citizens’ behaviour and sustained public participation were also essential.

The Chief Minister made a special appeal to Delhi University students, urging young people not merely to participate in the campaign but also to take its message to their colleges, families and communities. She said Delhi’s youth could bring new ideas and innovative solutions for Yamuna conservation through technology, innovation and public participation. Every student, teacher, social organisation and citizen can register on the ‘Main Bhi Yamuna Prahari’ app and join the campaign. She urged the people of Delhi to register on the app, become part of the initiative and strengthen the resolve to make the Yamuna clean, pollution-free and flowing through the power of public participation.

Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, special emphasis had been placed on preserving India’s rich culture and heritage. He said initiatives such as the ‘Namami Gange’ programme were aimed at cleaning and restoring the country’s lifeline rivers.

He said that after the formation of the new government in Delhi, work had begun on a comprehensive action plan, with the cleanliness of the Yamuna being accorded priority. More than Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated for cleaning the river. Various projects are being undertaken to prevent major drains from discharging into the Yamuna and to treat sewage. The tendering process for setting up sewage treatment plants at the outlets of 22 major drains flowing into the Yamuna has been completed, while construction work has commenced at 12 locations.

Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, MLA Surya Prakash Khatri, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, students and a large number of young people were present on the occasion.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar