Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma Reviews Cleanliness Initiatives at Yamuna Ghats
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Synopsis
On March 5, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma inspected the cleanliness initiatives at various Yamuna ghats, emphasizing the need for a cleaner river. He engaged with officials during his review and discussed plans for future tourism development along the river.
Key Takeaways
- Inspection of cleanliness efforts at Yamuna ghats.
- Focus on restoring Yamuna's identity and cleanliness.
- Plans for cruise services to enhance tourism.
- Criticism of previous government's management of infrastructure.
- Chhath Puja facilitation as a priority for the BJP.
New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma inspected the cleanliness initiatives at multiple Yamuna ghats throughout the national capital, which included locations such as Signature Bridge, ITO, Chhath ghat, and Okhla Barrage.
Verma traveled by boat from the Boat Club to Chhath ghat, engaging with officials responsible for the cleaning efforts and assessing progress at various locales.
Since taking office on February 25, the 48-year-old Jat leader has committed to rejuvenating the Yamuna as a representation of Delhi's identity, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a cleaner river.
Blaming the prior AAP government for mismanagement, Verma and the BJP have criticized the declining state of Delhi's infrastructure, which includes roads, drainage systems, and the Yamuna River.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva emphasized that cleaning the Yamuna and facilitating Chhath Puja at its ghats are primary objectives for the party.
Encouraged by their recent electoral win, the newly established BJP government has started implementing its campaign promises, with revitalizing the Yamuna and transforming it into a tourism hub as a key initiative.
The Delhi government is preparing to introduce cruise services on the Yamuna, looking to develop the Wazirabad barrage stretch into a leading tourist destination.
Proposed plans include ferry and boat taxi services, with the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) already issuing a request for quotation (RFQ) to hire a private operator for solar battery-powered cruises along the seven-kilometer stretch from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur.
Once operational, this cruise service is anticipated to enhance tourism along the Yamuna. Reports indicate that the operating agency will be selected by April 2025, with the cruise service expected to commence by the end of the year.
The condition of the Yamuna River was a significant topic during the recent Delhi Assembly elections, with both AAP and BJP engaging in intense debates regarding its cleanliness. While AAP attributed the river's pollution to previous administrations, BJP accused the ruling party of ignoring the matter. The BJP had promised to develop the Yamuna Riverfront similar to Gujarat's Sabarmati Riverfront if they were elected.
