Mathura,

03 May (HS): The deteriorating state of the Yamuna river is rapidly developing

as a crucial political issue in Mathura ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly

elections, with opposition parties intensifying their attacks and the ruling

BJP claiming continuing clean-up efforts. The State Pollution Control Board's

most recent February 2026 data shows worrisome pollution levels at major areas

like as Kesi Ghat, Vishram Ghat, and Gokul Barrage. KP Singh of the

Biodiversity Research and Development Society, who evaluated the samples using

official data, stated that, while fundamental characteristics like as

temperature and pH stay below permissible ranges, some crucial pollution

indicators exceed safe thresholds. He stated that high levels of turbidity,

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) at all three

sites indicate severe organic contamination in the river.

According

to the research, Vishram Ghat had the most turbidity and bacterial contamination;

making it the most contaminated location, whereas Gokul Barrage had relatively

better dissolved oxygen but the largest organic load. Kesi Ghat has fairly high

pollution levels. The investigation also identified abnormally high levels of

total and fecal coliform bacteria in all areas, indicating serious sewage

pollution. According to experts, such circumstances render the water dangerous

for human consumption and even swimming without adequate treatment, while also

threatening aquatic biodiversity, enabling only pollution-tolerant species to

thrive. The data also revealed that the water quality remained in Category D

(suitable exclusively for aquatic life) in December 2025, January 2026, and

February 2026.

The

research ascribed the drop to untreated sewage discharge, increasing human

activities along ghats, and poor wastewater treatment systems. Gopeshwar Nath

Chaturvedi, an environmental activist and the initial petitioner in the Yamuna

Action Plan, condemned the executing agencies' weak attitude in the face of

several court rulings and regulations. According to Chaturvedi, poisonous forms

can be seen on the other side of the Yamuna River's Gokul Barrage. He went on

to say that industries such as brass polishing and Todiya operate with very

dangerous chemicals like cyanide as a cleaning agent. The untreated water is

then freely released into the river. Sewage treatment plants are meant to handle

sewage, not chemicals, he said, adding that treating chemical-laden river water

with chlorine and alum for drinking is a useless practice because chlorine and

alum cannot remove chemicals.

Chaturvedi

also advocated stringent enforcement, stating that no overflow should be

permitted from sewage treatment facilities with drains connected to pumping

stations. Pankaj

Yadav, a Pollution Control Board officer, stated that while the Yamuna water is

suitable for aquatic life, it is unsafe for drinking without treatment. The

froth on the other side of the Gokul barrage is mostly the result of home

detergent usage. When water falls from a height, it creates foam. The formation

is dependent on the temperature differential. As a result, it stands out more

throughout the winter. He further stated that the department has established a

specific push to close down 'todiya' outlets. The problem has now taken a

political turn, with opposition parties planning to highlight it during the

assembly elections.

According

to Congress politician Pradeep Mathur, the sacred river has become a sewage

pool as a result of widespread corruption. Total and fecal coliform bacteria

levels are alarmingly high. The river remains pure just till the HathniKund

Barrage. It is nearly dead over the next 35 kilometers because the Haryana

government refuses to give water, and it is so contaminated that it cannot

recover; there is no fresh water left in it. He noted that, despite BJP regimes

at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, coordinated efforts

were absent, and questioned saints' silence. Are they satisfied with the status

of the river? he said, adding that this will be a key issue in next year's

Vidhan Sabha elections.

According

to Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ashok Agrawal, Vishram Ghat, an important holy site

on the river, is the most polluted location. Lakhs of devotees go from all over

the world to Vishram Ghat to take a ceremonial drink of water and bathe in the

Yamuna. This is offending their religious feelings. We expect a

Sanatani government to at least preserve religious heritage, he

continued. Sanjay Chaturvedi 'Alpine', a sewayat at the Shri Yamuna temple at

Vishram Ghat, claims that diminishing water quality has begun to disrupt

religious rites.

The

river water is now so contaminated that Gopal Ji and Yamuna Maharani cannot

bathe in it. He said that instead, we utilize well water. He stated that Yamuna

Ji now receives a scented bath every day at the temple, and river water is no

longer held in a jhari (long-necked vessel) for giving to the deity. He stated

it destroys the silver vessel and infests the water with worms.

Mathura

MP Hema Malini responded to the worries, saying, It's not just a river,

it's a heritage, and that the government is developing an action plan. Projects

worth 460 crores have already been completed, while projects worth around 493

crores have been sanctioned and are now underway under the Namami Gange

project. I highlighted the problem in my meetings with Prime Minister Modi and

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and they told me that it will be

addressed promptly, she added.

Her

agent, Janardhan Sharma, stated that the monies will be utilized to tap sewers

in Mathura, Vrindavan, Chhata, and Kosi, as well as to construct sewage

treatment plants and renovate infrastructure. Srikant Sharma, a BJP politician

and Mathura MLA, stated that the river's health has greatly improved since the

BJP administration took office in 2017. We decided to tap the nalas and build a

huge treatment facility in Masani. Following positive findings from the

treatment plant, we began working on tapping the remaining nalas. Mathura now

has 19 nalas out of 23 while Vrindavan has 11 nalas out of 13. The remaining

nalas' work is scheduled to be completed soon. The effects of these efforts

will be obvious shortly, he stated.

Meanwhile,

Mukul Agrawal of Indian Oil's Mathura Refinery stated that the facility's

infrastructure has been updated to reduce emissions. The refinery employs a

Sour Water Stripper Unit to remove H2S and NH3 gasses, allowing the stripped

water to be reused and lowering fresh water use, he said, adding that effluent

treatment systems such as reverse osmosis are in place. With scientific

evidence pointing to serious pollution and political parties swapping

accusations, the Yamuna's status, which is connected with faith, environment,

and public health, is expected to be a divisive and emotional subject in

Mathura leading up to the 2027 assembly elections.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi