Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil on Thursday, 1 October 2026 led a Shramdaan drive at Yamuna's Kalindi Kunj Ghat, near Okhla Barrage in New Delhi, as part of the nationwide voluntary labour campaign under Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 – Nirantar Prayas. The event brought together government officials, sanitation workers, and community volunteers in a symbolic show of collective commitment to river and environmental cleanliness.

Key Developments at the Event

Minister of State V. Somanna also attended the Shramdaan event at Kalindi Kunj Ghat, according to an official statement. Paatil paid tribute to Safai-Mitras — frontline sanitation workers — and expressed gratitude for their year-round contribution to keeping public spaces clean. He underscored that cleanliness must be treated as a continuous commitment, not a periodic exercise, and that river conservation is central to that mission.

Paatil invoked Mahatma Gandhi's dual emphasis on 'Swachhata' (cleanliness) and 'Swantantra' (freedom), noting that Gandhi's philosophy continues to shape India's sanitation ethos. He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Swachhata Andolan has reached new milestones of public participation.

Water Warriors Interaction under Namami Gange

Later in the day, Paatil interacted with Water Conservation Warriors and River Rejuvenation Warriors drawn from different parts of the country. The interaction was organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Namami Gange programme and provided a platform for grassroots champions to share their journeys and discuss how community-led models can be replicated at scale.

The minister acknowledged that many of the warriors had worked through difficult local circumstances to bring communities together for water and environmental protection. He said their work reflects the spirit of Jan Bhagidari — citizen co-ownership — that underpins the national water conservation movement.

What the Government Said

Paatil urged the Water Warriors to move beyond awareness and translate their energy into focused, measurable, and sustained outcomes. He called on participants to identify specific rivers, ponds, and ghats, set clear targets, and demonstrate visible improvement on the ground. He also stressed the importance of involving women, youth, schoolchildren, and senior citizens to ensure that water conservation becomes an enduring people's movement rather than a one-time activity.

He encouraged successful local models to be adapted and expanded across regions facing similar water challenges, and asked the Warriors to stay connected and share learnings regularly.

Broader Context

The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, launched annually ahead of Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October, mobilises citizens, government departments, and civil society for voluntary cleaning drives across the country. The Namami Gange programme — India's flagship river rejuvenation mission — has been working on sewage treatment, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement along the Ganga and its tributaries, including the Yamuna. The Yamuna, which flows through the capital, has remained among India's most polluted urban rivers despite successive clean-up efforts spanning two decades.

Thursday's event marks a visible push to link the Swachhata drive with river rejuvenation goals ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, with grassroots action increasingly positioned as central to the government's long-term river health strategy.