Sat, 24 Oct 2026 · LIVE
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · 13:39
Delhi News Updated Oct 24, 2026

Toxic foam floats on Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj ahead of Chhath Puja

Toxic foam was spotted floating on the Yamuna near the Okhla Barrage in Delhi on Saturday, with visuals showing it spread towards Kalindi Kunj ahead of Chhath Puja. The sight has renewed attention on the river's persistent pollution, weeks after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led the 'Chalo Yamuna' clean-up drive across 70 locations. Delhi's air quality also stayed in the 'poor' category for a third day at an AQI of 180, prompting the CAQM to invoke GRAP Stage I.

Toxic foam spotted on Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj

New Delhi, Oct 24

Toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River near Okhla Barrage in Delhi on Saturday, with visuals showing a layer of foam spread across the river stretch flowing towards Kalindi Kunj. The sight comes at a time when festivals are approaching, especially Chhath Puja, when people gather on the Yamuna ghats.

The development has once again drawn attention to the persistent pollution in the river despite ongoing efforts by the Delhi government to improve its water quality.

Visuals from Kalindi Kunj showed foam floating on the surface of the Yamuna, highlighting the continuing challenge of river pollution in the national Capital.

The presence of foam on the river has frequently been associated with pollutants, including detergents and untreated wastewater released by industries. However, the specific cause of the foam observed on Saturday has not been independently established.

Earlier this month, a major cleanliness and river revival initiative was organised along the Yamuna ghats under the 'Chalo Yamuna' campaign. The drive brought together thousands of young people, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public representatives, who participated in voluntary clean-up activities.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led the cleanliness campaign, which was conducted at Yamuna ghats and surrounding areas across all 70 locations in the city.

Appealing to residents to become 'Yamuna Praharis', the Chief Minister said, "Cleanliness is not just a campaign but a way of life and ensuring that no waste reaches the Yamuna is our collective responsibility."

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category for the third consecutive day on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 180, according to the latest data.

Pollution levels have risen following Dussehra celebrations, with smoke and unfavourable meteorological conditions contributing to deteriorating air quality across Delhi-NCR.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR earlier this week after the AQI slipped into the poor category.

— IANS

Reader’s Guide · AI-assisted, based only on the report above

What the report makes clear: Foam has again appeared on the Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj, and Delhi's air quality remains in the 'poor' category at an AQI of 180.

Still open: The report does not yet say what specifically caused Saturday's foam or what steps are planned before Chhath Puja gatherings at the ghats.

Another way to look at it: Clean-up drives depend on sustained waste control upstream, so the test is whether such efforts hold through the festival season.

What more should be done to keep the Yamuna clean during festival season?

Reader Voices

Leave a comment

Be kind. Add to the conversation. 0/50
Thank you — your comment has been submitted.
JS blocked