New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritizes the cleaning of the Yamuna, criticizing the former AAP government for its inaction against pollution in the river.

He ridiculed former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for failing to fulfill his promise of taking a dip in clean Yamuna water, stating, “When his cut-out was made to take a dip in the Yamuna, it ended up in Safdarjung Hospital due to illness.”

Shah spoke at the launch of 18 projects totaling Rs 1,816 crore, which include initiatives aimed at sewage treatment to mitigate Yamuna’s pollution.

The Home Minister also acknowledged the late BJP MP and former Delhi BJP chief Vijay Kumar Malhotra for his contributions to the city’s development.

He mentioned, “Just two days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 24 years as a head of government, serving as both PM and CM.”

“PM Modi is a remarkable leader who has implemented numerous measures to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters. He has ensured good governance and steered the country towards development, especially as we near the centenary of Independence,” he added.

Shah highlighted that 80% of the projects inaugurated or whose foundation was laid on Thursday are focused on cleaning the Yamuna.

In just seven months, PM Modi has devised a plan to clean the Yamuna from Yamunotri to Prayagraj.

He criticized the previous Delhi government, stating, “The AAP government did nothing to clean the river. Their Chief Minister made promises he didn’t keep, and when Parvesh Sahib Singh dipped his cut-out in the polluted river, even that ended up sick in Safdarjung Hospital.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta previously condemned the AAP government for not utilizing the Rs 2,000 crore offered by the Central government for cleaning the Yamuna.

She criticized the previous administration's failure to make the most of the funds provided by Prime Minister Modi and HM Shah.

Emphasizing her government’s commitment to cleaning the river, CM Gupta stated, “Our government has initiated work on cleaning the river by conducting drone and physical surveys of 22 large and 200 small drains that discharge into the Yamuna.”

“I extend my gratitude to the Central government and HM Amit Shah for their support in our endeavors,” she said.

“I want to reaffirm that this is merely the beginning of our dedication to serve the people, with many more initiatives to come in the future,” she added.

The 18 projects worth Rs 1,816 crore inaugurated by HM Shah include the expansion and establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants at Kondli, Kehopur, Rohini, Coronation Pillar, Narela, Yamuna Vihar, and Najafgarh.

These projects also encompass Siraspur and additional water reservoirs and pumping stations.