Fri Nov 08 02:04:55 UTC 2024: ## Delhi High Court Rejects Plea to Allow Chhath Puja on Yamuna Riverbed, Citing Pollution Concerns

**New Delhi:** The Delhi High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to allow the public to perform Chhath Puja on the Yamuna riverbed in Geeta Colony. The court cited the high level of pollution in the river, deeming it harmful to the devotees.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the PIL filed by Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, highlighting that allowing the religious ceremony on the riverbed poses a serious health risk due to its contaminated state.

Delhi Government counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi informed the court that the Yamuna is heavily polluted and participating in Chhath Puja there could lead to illness. He also highlighted that the government has allocated 1,000 designated locations for the celebration across the city, with adequate arrangements in place.

The court referenced its previous order in the Shabnam Burney case, which acknowledged the alarmingly high pollution levels in the Yamuna. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the commencement of the festival, the court concluded that no orders could be passed on the PIL.

The petitioner argued for the lifting of the ban on the riverbed ceremony, suggesting it could be cleaned. Chief Justice Manmohan countered that cleaning the riverbed was a complex and time-consuming task, urging the petitioner to contribute to the cleanup efforts. He also pointed out the persistent issue of untreated sewage from unauthorized colonies, which further contributes to the Yamuna’s pollution.

The Chief Justice lamented the lack of collective action and awareness regarding the Yamuna’s state, emphasizing the need for a shift in mentality to prioritize the river’s cleaning and preservation.

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