New Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday led a large-scale voluntary cleanliness drive at the Yamuna Ghat in Chilla village as part of the ongoing Clean Delhi with CM campaign.
The initiative brought together volunteers, environmental activists, social organisations, and local residents with the common objective of restoring the cleanliness of the Yamuna and promoting greater public participation in environmental conservation.
Addressing participants during the campaign, the Chief Minister expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic response from volunteers and community organisations. She stated that the Delhi government’s cleanliness initiative derives its greatest strength from active public involvement and that meaningful environmental change can only be achieved when citizens and the government work together.
Gupta said that the campaign is intended to evolve into a people’s movement that will contribute significantly to building a cleaner, greener, and more developed national capital. She emphasized that sustained public cooperation is essential for ensuring the long-term success of cleanliness and environmental protection programmes across Delhi.
Highlighting the cultural and ecological importance of the Yamuna, the Chief Minister described the river as much more than a water body. She said the Yamuna represents Delhi’s history, cultural heritage, and lifeline, serving millions of residents for generations. Protecting and restoring the river, she noted, is a collective responsibility that extends beyond government agencies to every citizen.
She pointed out that although the Yamuna has long been regarded as a sacred river and a centre of faith for millions of people, it continues to face serious pollution challenges. According to the Chief Minister, restoring the river to its clean and natural state requires coordinated efforts from government institutions, civil society organisations, and the general public.
During her interaction with residents, Gupta appealed to people not to dispose of religious offerings, plastic waste, construction debris, or any other garbage into the river. She urged citizens to adopt environmentally responsible practices and actively support initiatives aimed at protecting the Yamuna from further pollution.
The Chief Minister also met young environmental volunteers participating in the campaign, who shared innovative ideas for managing the plastic waste collected during the cleanup drive. They explained that recyclable plastic could be transformed into useful products such as benches, dustbins, and other public utility items for schools and community spaces through recycling initiatives.
Appreciating the proposal, Gupta assured the volunteers that the Delhi government would extend full support to innovative recycling projects and circular economy initiatives that help reduce waste while creating valuable public infrastructure. She said such environmentally sustainable solutions represent the future of urban waste management.
One young environmental activist informed the Chief Minister that he had joined the Yamuna conservation campaign after being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Gupta praised the growing participation of young people in environmental protection efforts and encouraged more citizens to contribute towards keeping public spaces clean.