Territorial Army personnel and Delhi government officials participated in a large-scale cleanliness drive along the Yamuna River. The initiative, part of a broader service campaign, aims to restore the river's ecosystem with a structured plan and public participation, expecting significant transformation within three years.
The Yamuna river in Mathura has emerged as a major political issue ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, with pollution data from February 2026 showing alarming levels of turbidity, BOD, COD and bacterial contamination at Kesi Ghat, Vishram Ghat and Gokul Barrage. The water quality has remained in Category 'D' - fit only for aquatic life - for three consecutive months. Opposition parties are attacking the BJP while the ruling party cites ongoing clean-up measures under the Namami Gange project. Religious practices at the river have been affected, with temples now using well water instead of river water for deity baths.
