New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta and city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Sunday joined party members and MPs in a campaign to clean Yamuna banks.

As Speaker Gupta said that a clean Yamuna is the foundation of a healthy Capital and a secure future, Malhotra appreciated the involvement of BJP MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Manoj Tiwari and Swati Maliwal.

Malhotra undertook voluntary service at Yamuna Bank and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for showing commitment towards cleanliness of the river.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given Rs 3,500 crore and Chief Minister Gupta’s government has committed Rs 1,800 for cleaning of the river where as the previous governments only paid lip service on Yamuna revival.

Speaker Gupta said the true significance of festivals such as Chhath Puja can be realised only when devotees are able to offer prayers on clean ghats and the Yamuna flows in its pristine and uninterrupted form.

“Our goal is to restore the lost glory of the Yamuna and ensure that future generations inherit a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful environment,” the Speaker said while leading the Yamuna Bank Cleanliness Drive under the Yamuna Swachhta Abhiyan at Chhath Ghat near Purana Loha Pul.

The cleanliness drive, organised to mark 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sought to promote public participation in environmental conservation and support ongoing efforts towards a cleaner and rejuvenated Yamuna.

Speaker Gupta said that the Yamuna was intrinsically linked to the pride, faith and self-respect of the people of Delhi

At a bank near ITO, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma joined the campaign and offered voluntary service.

“The overwhelming participation of thousands of Delhiites in today’s Yamuna Cleanliness Drive across 28 ghats was truly inspiring. At Hathi Ghat’s ITO, I witnessed people from all walks of life — children, youth, women, senior citizens, volunteers and social organisations — coming together with a shared sense of responsibility towards our Yamuna,” Minister Parvesh Verma said.

“Yamuna is not just a river, it is an integral part of Delhi’s cultural, spiritual and historical identity. Ensuring a clean and rejuvenated Yamuna for future generations is a collective responsibility that goes beyond governments and institutions,” he added.

“Inspired by the vision and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Yamuna Sankalp’, this campaign has evolved into a true people’s movement,” he said.

“Today’s participation reflects the growing public awareness and commitment towards restoring the river’s dignity and cleanliness,” Minister Parvesh Verma added.

The Irrigation and Flood Minister thanked citizens, volunteers, social organisations and workers who contributed to the campaign and said, “Their efforts are a reminder that when people and government work together with a common purpose, meaningful change becomes possible. The journey towards a clean, beautiful and rejuvenated Yamuna will continue with the active participation of every Delhiite.”

Among others, Delhi Jal Board Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay participated in the campaign at Sarai Kale Khan Ghat, Public Accounts Committee President Ajay Mahawar at Signature Bridge, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht at 1.5 Pushta Yamuna Vihar, South Delhi Development Committee Chairperson Shikha Rai at Zero Pushta Sonia Vihar, and Central Delhi Development Committee Chairman Harish Khurana along with MLA Rajkaran Khatri participated in the Yamuna cleanliness shramdaan near Nigambodh Ghat.

–IANS

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