Idols, garbage dot Yamuna's ghats as water levels decline

The receding Yamuna has revealed hundreds of religious idols and photos, along with other paraphernalia, that had presumably been dumped into the river, now lying on the new banks and dry riverbed areas.

- Paras Singh

During a spot check on Monday and Tuesday, HT found damaged idols, garlands, framed photographs, cloth offerings, and plastic waste scattered along stretches near Ram Ghat, Sur Ghat, sections along Burari, Sonia Vihar and the Jagatpur Ghat. These ghats cover last remaining clean sections of the river from where Delhi draws its drinking water, and where what is left of the fish and aquatic in the river still survives.

Environmentalists and civic agencies have repeatedly warned that idol immersion and dumping of puja waste is a major contributor to pollution in the river.