Suryaa National Desk: Surya Environment & Capital Bureau, New Delhi: A huge amount of toxic white foam is floating on the surface of the Yamuna river near Kalindi Kunj in the national capital, Delhi. Surya Environment & Capital Bureau, New Delhi: Scenes of huge amounts of toxic white foam floating on the surface of the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj in the national capital Delhi have once again caused a stir. Ammonia and phosphate levels in the river have increased to dangerous levels and the waste chemicals have been mixed heavily, causing thick foam to flow on the river. Due to the effect of this pollution, the local people and environmental experts are expressing serious concern as the bad smell is emitting in the nearby areas.
The reason is the combination of untreated industrial wastes and detergents: Environmentalists have clarified that this situation has arisen due to the free flow of untreated chemical wastes from industries and detergents containing high phosphates from households through sewage drains into the river Yamuna. When the flow of the river is low, this foam is formed in huge quantities and floats up when the water falls at the Okhla barrage. Medical experts warn that there is a risk of skin diseases and respiratory problems due to direct contact with this water. Severe criticism on the negligence of the governments: Although the central and state governments are spending hundreds of crores of rupees annually for the cleaning of the Yamuna river, there is severe criticism that the situation has not changed at the field level.
Locals have alleged that the authorities are failing to prevent pollution from entering the sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the improper management of the sewage treatment plants (STPs). People are demanding immediate steps to remove the chemical foam as this pollution has the potential to become a major health threat to devotees who wade into the river during the upcoming festive season.
