Newly sworn-in Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and her cabinet aced the optics in making a beeline for the Yamuna right after taking the oath. The image of the Chief Minister standing at the banks of the river, performing the Yamuna Aarti, sent a powerful message — the new government is taking its responsibility of cleaning the Yamuna very seriously. Deifying the river, CM addressed it as “Maa Yamuna”.

Speaking to the media after the Yamuna Aarti, CM Rekha Gupta said, “Today, during the aarti of Maa Yamuna, we remembered our resolution to clean the river. We will use the needed resources, and it will be our priority.” The moment was expertly staged, positioning Gupta as a leader who understands the cultural and spiritual significance of the Yamuna to the people of Delhi.

The work on cleaning the Yamuna had already started on Sunday, four days ahead of the Chief Minister’s oath ceremony. Even before Delhi knew its Chief Minister’s name, orders were issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s office to start work on trans and silt removal with skimmers, weed harvesters and a dredger.

While the optics were carefully crafted, the question arises as to whether this is more than just symbolism. While the promises have been tall and wide, can the BJP government in Delhi deliver tangible, long-term solutions for the river’s pollution?

The woebegone state of Yamuna has been the source of longstanding woes for Delhiites and a poll plank for the AAP and BJP. Toxic fumes arising from the river’s surface, murky waters plagued by thick foam with mounds of garbage washed ashore — Yamuna in Delhi is a picture of plight and apathy. The Yamuna flows through Delhi for just 22 kilometres in its 1,376-kilometre course.........

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