Political Tensions Rise Over Yamuna Water Management in Haryana

Politics Over Yamuna Water Heats Up in Haryana Assembly

Chandigarh – The ongoing assembly session in Haryana has turned into a battleground over the contentious issue of Yamuna water pollution, with Chief Minister Nayab Saini taking center stage. During a recent session, Saini emphasized the collaborative efforts of both the central and state governments in cleaning the Yamuna River, claiming that a staggering 16,000 metric tonnes of waste has been removed in just four months.

This declaration came as a response to a pointed inquiry from Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed, who raised concerns about the hazardous effects of the Gurugram canal—a branch of the Yamuna canal—on the districts of Nuh, Palwal, Faridabad, and Gurugram. Ahmed highlighted the alarming reality that contaminated water from the Yamuna is flowing into the canal, posing serious health risks to residents.

In his reply, Industries and Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh acknowledged the grim situation, explaining that the Gurugram canal, which originates from the Okhla barrage, is severely polluted due to industrial discharges from New Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. He outlined the Haryana government’s initiatives, including the establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), along with enforcement actions by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) against polluting industries.

However, CM Saini shifted the focus away from the pollution causes, instead directing his criticism towards the opposition party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing them of neglecting the river’s plight. “While much was said, no concrete steps were actually taken on the ground to clean and restore the river,” he stated, underscoring the political undertones of the discussion.

Saini also revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken notice of the issue, leading to a meeting in Delhi that included the Delhi Chief Minister and the Union Minister for Water Resources. A joint committee has been formed to expedite the cleanup efforts, with ongoing work to establish STPs in Delhi as part of the initiative.

As the debate continues, the political ramifications of the Yamuna water crisis are becoming increasingly evident, with both sides vying for public support amid growing environmental concerns. The situation remains fluid, and the effectiveness of the government’s measures will be closely scrutinized in the coming months.