‘When people can take a dip in Yamuna… it will be a dream come true’: Onlookers at Yamuna Ghat as Delhi CM, Cabinet take part in aarti

After taking oath at Ramlila Maidan during the day, BJP leaders arrived at the ghat amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

The windy evening was abuzz with excitement as BJP supporters and curious onlookers gathered on the Yamuna River Bridge near the ISBT Kashmere Gate.

Gunjan Wadhwa (44), a resident of Civil Lines, came to the ghat with her family members to catch a glimpse of the new Chief Minister. “I live nearby and saw on the news that Rekha ji is coming here. So, all my family members — my daughter, husband and mother-in-law — came here to witness this moment. I feel so happy and proud… The BJP has helped our family a lot. Manoj Tiwari ji (Northeast Delhi BJP MP) has personally supported us.”

Lalita Sharma (50), who has been a BJP worker for more than two decades, was also at the ghat to witness the occasion. “My family struggles whenever the river floods… The government’s negligence in taking action against sewage being mixed into the water has destroyed this holy river, which is as close to our hearts as the River Ganga. Now that BJP has come to power, a solution will be found for all such problems. When people of Delhi will be able to take a dip in Yamuna… it will be a dream come true,” she said.

Following the aarti, as prasad was being distributed, newly sworn-in Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “Today’s aarti will give us the strength we need. We performed the aarti hoping that the river would be restored… This government will work tirelessly. It is not here to make excuses, but to bring to fruition Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dreams, and to transform Delhi into a beautiful ‘viksit’ (developed) city.”

As part of the beautification and revamp of the Yamuna riverfront, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plans to restore historical ghats.

When contacted, a DDA official said, “The plan is to restore and complete cleaning the Yamuna within three years, as announced by the L-G. We are currently in the process of deconcretising the Yamuna floodplains… Plans are being prepared to deconcretise Sur Ghat.”

“Recently, regular inspections were conducted by the DDA, DMRC, and the environment department to remove debris dumped on the floodplains. These efforts are in line with the Delhi High Court’s directions for the rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna,” the official added.