NEW DELHI: We visited the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj today to see the condition of the water for ourselves. At first, the river looks like it is covered in white snow, but the truth is much more dangerous. A thick, toxic white foam is floating everywhere, and in some places, the foam has even turned a strange pink color. This is not just a pollution issue; it is a major health crisis that has ignored years of government promises.
A Firsthand View of Ecological Decay
At the Kalindi Kunj barrage, the air is heavy with a pungent, chemical odor. Observations at the site reveal massive drifts of surfactant-induced froth floating downstream. In several pockets, pink patches appear in the foam, a telltale sign of untreated industrial dyes and chemical effluents from nearby textile and manufacturing units.
Despite the visible toxicity, the human cost is evident. Residents were observed using the contaminated water for bathing, ritualistic pooja, and even domestic washing. The danger extends to the local livestock; cattle were seen wading through the chemical sludge, while stray animals drank directly from the banks. With aquatic life virtually non-existent in this stretch, the river has effectively been reduced to a “silent” drain, yet it remains a primary, albeit dangerous, water source for the marginalized communities nearby.
Political Accountability and High-Level Inspections
On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu visited Kalindi Kunj Ghat (also known as Kalindi Kunj barrage) along with senior officials from concerned departments for a first-hand assessment. He posted on X: “Visited the Kalindi Kunj Ghat along the Yamuna River, along with senior officials of concerned departments, to take a first-hand assessment of the current situation.” The LG stressed the need for “practical and sustainable solutions to prevent froth formation on the river” and called for involving local and international experts from leading scientific institutions.
A day earlier, Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control (and Water) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma conducted a joint inspection with experts from IIT-Delhi, district administration, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and officials from both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh’s Irrigation and Flood Control departments. Verma stated: “What we are seeing here is a localised phenomenon. The froth formation in this stretch is linked to specific technical conditions at the barrage. Our efforts to reduce pollution in the Yamuna are ongoing and continuous.” He directed DPCC officials to intensify monitoring and take immediate action against any sources violating environmental norms, including illegal discharge points, while emphasising stronger coordination with Uttar Pradesh.
Underlying Causes: Barrage Turbulence, Untreated Sewage, Detergents and Illegal Dyeing Units
Officials and experts explained the froth as largely localised to the stretch downstream of the Okhla barrage. Due to the barrage’s slope, water falls with force, creating turbulence that agitates existing impurities into visible foam. This is compounded by surfactants primarily from household detergents in untreated or partially treated wastewater, waste from laundry clusters and dhobi ghats, inflows from certain drains, and natural organic matter especially when river flow is low and pollutants concentrate.
The pink coloration specifically points to discharge from illegal dyeing and textile units, adding dyes, phosphates and other chemicals to the mix. A TERI study has previously highlighted poor functioning of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), identifying hotspots where untreated wastewater enters via drains such as Ganesh Nagar, Shahdara and 12A.
Long-Standing Challenge: Recurring Froth Across Administrations, Including AAP Era and Recent Defoamer Efforts
The toxic foam is not a new phenomenon. Similar froth formations have been documented for years at Kalindi Kunj and downstream of the Okhla barrage. During the previous AAP-led Delhi government’s tenure, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducted monitoring specifically for froth/foam in 2022-2024. The issue was also discussed in a parliamentary committee in 2024. In late 2025, the Delhi Jal Board used a record 48,000 kg of defoaming chemicals over 63 days near Kalindi Kunj in an attempt to manage visibility during festivals, yet the froth reappeared once interventions eased.
Today’s conditions mirror these past episodes: white and pink foam persists despite temporary measures like chemical defoamers and upstream water releases. Activists note that while short-term optics may change, root causes: untreated sewage (accounting for a major share of pollution) and industrial discharges, remain unaddressed at scale.
Current Government Action Plan:
In response to the latest episode, the government has ordered immediate steps. The DPCC has been tasked with stricter enforcement against violators. The LG has emphasised engaging scientific experts for sustainable, long-term solutions beyond temporary fixes. Discussions with Uttar Pradesh officials underscore the shared responsibility across state boundaries. Broader infrastructure efforts, including drainage improvements, are part of ongoing pollution-reduction initiatives.
Experts and activists, however, caution that froth is a symptom of deeper ecological decline, harming aquatic life and posing skin and respiratory risks to humans in contact with the water. They urge sustained action against illegal dyeing units and full STP/CETP upgrades.
The contrast between the government’s digital “Action Plans” and the physical reality at Kalindi Kunj remains stark. While crores are earmarked for future infrastructure, the immediate health of the river and those who depend on it hangs in the balance. As the pink-tinged foam continues to swirl under the barrage, it serves as a caustic reminder that for the Yamuna, time and purity are both running out.
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