Stricter Measures for Chhath Puja Amidst Pollution Concerns: Delhi’s Riverbanks Closed, Artificial Ghats Offer Alternative

Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival celebrated primarily by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, reveres the Sun God and is observed with various rituals by devotees. Traditionally, a key part of the puja involves submerging oneself in river water while offering “arghya” or prayers to the sun. However, in recent years, especially in Delhi, pollution in the Yamuna River has raised significant health concerns. Consequently, the Delhi High Court has reinforced a ban on riverbank immersions, redirecting devotees to artificial ghats to mitigate pollution exposure risks. This year, artificial ghats and intensified restrictions have marked Chhath celebrations in the capital, illustrating the growing challenges and ongoing efforts to balance religious practices and environmental safety.

The 2021 Ban and Pollution Concerns

In 2021, the Delhi High Court imposed a strict ban on Chhath Puja immersion in the Yamuna River, citing the severe pollution levels in its waters. Toxic froth, a visible manifestation of the Yamuna’s heavy pollution, is a result of untreated sewage and industrial waste entering the river unchecked. The court order prohibits religious festivities involving water immersion due to these hazards, emphasizing the health risks posed by such pollution.

The toxic froth visible on the Yamuna’s surface each winter is not only an environmental concern but also a public health risk. Experts note that the froth, containing chemical pollutants and untreated sewage, poses skin irritation and respiratory issues for those who come into contact with it. In response, defoaming agents have been used in some areas, although they provide only a temporary fix, and the need for comprehensive pollution control measures remains urgent.

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Delhi High Court’s Reinforcement of the Ban in 2023

Despite the 2021 ruling, many devotees continued to visit the Yamuna banks for Chhath Puja in the following years, challenging enforcement efforts by authorities. Recognizing this, the Delhi High Court reinforced the ban this year, just a day before the main puja dates of November 7 and 8, and ordered stricter enforcement measures. In line with the court’s directive, roads and lanes leading to the river’s natural ghats were blocked. The major ghats along the Yamuna in Kalindi Kunj, ITO, Okhla, and Nigam Bodh were barricaded to prevent access, and security personnel were deployed to guide devotees toward the artificial ghats provided.

Artificial Ghats: A Solution with Mixed Responses

To accommodate the large number of Chhath devotees while keeping them away from the polluted river, the Delhi government has increased the number of artificial ghats in various locations across the city. Over 1,000 artificial ponds were established in 2022 to address the need for suitable sites for Chhath rituals. This year, additional temporary ghats were constructed within the floodplain areas for convenience, helping worshippers maintain familiarity with traditional worship sites. Authorities worked to make these artificial ghats more accessible and organized to provide an adequate substitute for the natural riverbanks.

However, for many devotees, these artificial sites do not offer the same spiritual connection as the natural ghats. Many people traveled to Noida, just across the border, where the restrictions were comparatively lax, to perform their rituals in the actual river. At the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna ghat in Noida, authorities allowed the Chhath Puja, organizing facilities and public announcements to manage the crowd, making it a popular alternative for Delhi residents seeking a traditional experience. Delhi’s temporary ghats thus presented a practical solution yet met with some resistance, reflecting the challenge of adapting cultural practices to environmental realities.

Pollution Control Measures Amidst Festivities

As part of the intensified efforts, the Delhi Jal Board deployed boats equipped with anti-foaming solutions to manage the toxic froth buildup in areas where devotees gathered near the Yamuna. While the defoaming agents could only temporarily reduce the froth, their presence signified an attempt to mitigate immediate pollution hazards for the public. Alongside these efforts, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) undertook preventive health measures, such as fogging and anti-larval treatment at over 1,050 Chhath Puja sites across the city, to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases due to congregated crowds.

Authorities in Noida, in contrast, allowed devotees access to a designated ghat along the river, albeit with organized safety measures, public announcements, and street vendors to support the devotees. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers crossed over from Delhi to participate in the riverbank festivities, underscoring the emotional and cultural pull of the Yamuna for Chhath rituals.

The Broader Challenge: Yamuna’s Pollution Crisis

The froth covering the Yamuna each winter serves as a stark reminder of the persistent pollution issues affecting the river. Industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and excessive chemical pollutants accumulate in the river, resulting in seasonal frothing, visible along its banks and especially during colder months. This environmental degradation has created a complex problem for both officials and the local community.

Efforts to combat this pollution have been ongoing, but progress has been slow, with temporary fixes like anti-foaming sprays providing little lasting relief. To address the root causes of Yamuna’s pollution, experts call for more rigorous and sustained actions, including better sewage treatment infrastructure, stricter industrial waste management policies, and increased public awareness of environmental conservation. The Chhath Puja restrictions reflect only one aspect of the larger issue, pointing to the pressing need for a long-term, sustainable solution to restore and preserve Delhi’s waterways.

Public Sentiment and Cultural Traditions

For many devotees, the Yamuna River holds immense cultural and spiritual significance, and Chhath Puja without access to its natural waters seems incomplete. The restrictions imposed for environmental and health reasons are understood by many but remain a point of contention, particularly for those who feel a strong cultural bond to the river. The enforcement of the ban thus brings a mix of compliance, reluctance, and outright resistance, as seen in the movement of many devotees to the Noida ghats.

The Delhi government’s provision of artificial ghats, while a practical measure, does not entirely capture the authenticity of the Yamuna experience for the devotees. Balancing respect for cultural traditions with environmental safety remains a complex task for authorities.

Looking Forward: A Sustainable Path for River Conservation

Delhi’s restrictions during Chhath Puja underscore the need for a sustainable approach to managing river pollution. While artificial ghats provide an interim solution, the broader issue requires an integrated approach involving stricter regulation of industrial effluents, improved waste management systems, and enhanced sewage treatment facilities.

In addition, environmental and public health awareness campaigns could help foster community understanding and encourage sustainable practices. The Yamuna River’s annual frothing problem is a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance, policy intervention, and community engagement to protect natural resources while respecting cultural traditions.

This year’s Chhath Puja celebrations in Delhi exemplify the challenges faced when environmental and cultural imperatives intersect. The Delhi High Court’s reinforced ban on Yamuna immersion reflects a commitment to public health and environmental preservation, while the creation of artificial ghats shows sensitivity to the needs of the devotees. Nonetheless, the pollution issues affecting the Yamuna signal a deeper need for sustainable, long-term solutions to restore the river to a state where it can once again serve as a safe, revered site for religious rituals.

As Delhi continues to grapple with balancing tradition and environmental responsibility, the Chhath Puja experience highlights the ongoing journey toward creating a cleaner, safer Yamuna, one that may one day accommodate both nature and culture harmoniously.