Pollution body checks Yamuna quality before & after immersion

NEW DELHI: To check on the increase in pollution levels in the Yamuna, before and after idol immersions on Ganesh Chaturthi, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee

NEW DELHI: To check on the increase in pollution levels in the Yamuna, before and after idol immersions on Ganesh Chaturthi, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee collected water samples from the ghats few days back and will again take samples after Thursday.

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This year, seven Yamuna ghats — Kudsia, Geeta, Haathi, Shyam, Kalindi Kunj, Mayur Vihar and Geeta Colony — were earmarked for the idol immersions by the authorities.

According to a senior Delhi government official, apart from spreading awareness regarding the use of environment friendly colours and biodegradable materials in the idols, the pollution watchdog of the state government will also monitor the water quality before and after the immersions.

“Samples have already been collected a few days before Ganesh visarjan, too. Then we can compare the difference in water quality and the exact impact of idol immersion in the river can be ascertained,” the official told Hindustan Times.

This year, from the samples picked up from seven points in the river between ITO and the Najafgarh Drain, the dissolved oxygen (DO) content was between 0.24 parts per million and 0.32 parts per million. DO levels in healthy water are supposed to be above four.

Activists welcomed the DPCC initiative dubbing it as a step in the right direction. Water activist Manoj Misra, who is also the convenor of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan, said along with other arrangements for immersion this year, this monitoring can help calculate the damage to the river.

“It is a good move but needs to be done in a systematic manner. Then you can see results. It needs to be monitored whether while removing idols, the authorities concerned are also taking away other materials which can be harmful for the river and the environment. More sample testing, with a gap of a few days, can give better clarity,” Misra said.

Idol immersions and dumping of religious objects in the river increase the level of toxicity every year. The National Green Tribunal’s order to prevent dumping of harmful material is not helping because of lack of implementation of the order.