The Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied permission to conduct Chhath Puja rituals on the banks of the Yamuna River.
During the hearing, the court expressed concern over the pollution levels in the Yamuna, noting that it may be unsafe for people to enter the river.
The court was hearing the petition filed by the Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan.
The petitioner argued that many devotees wish to perform the puja in Delhi without traveling back to their hometowns, as was promised by the government in a recent press conference.
The bench led by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Manmohan noted that: ‘At eleventh hour, we cannot do anything.’
The petitioner argued that if water could be released from the Hathnikund Barrage, it would create a cleaner environment for devotees.
The petitioner also suggested a basic clean-up of river ghats in line with the festival’s emphasis on cleanliness, emphasizing that the government could order a thorough cleanup to enable future Chhath Puja celebrations at the Yamuna.
The government’s advocate acknowledged the severe pollution in the Yamuna, with the court noting the influx of untreated waste.
The court in an oral remark noted that There is untreated sewage from 800 colonies going directly into the river and that complete cleanup cannot happen within a day.
In response, the petitioner asked the court to consider cleaning at least specific areas near the ghats for next year.
The court suggested that the petitioner file a separate plea specifically seeking a cleanup of the Yamuna River, stating that it would welcome the petitioner’s assistance in the matter.
