New Delhi, Oct 21 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday alleged that the Delhi government roped in a private firm to clear froth from Yamuna ahead of Chhath even before tender formalities were complete.
The Delhi government has started clearing froth from the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj barrage to make the river bath-ready before the festival, according to officials.
“This is a tender for removing foam from the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj. The financial bid for this tender has not yet been opened. Despite this, the DJB has already decided on the contractor, who is present at the site with tents and equipment even before the tender process has been completed,” AAP’s Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
He claimed that the party earlier exposed corruption in road construction by the Public Works Department (PWD), and now in Delhi Jal Board, or DJB.
Both departments are under Parvesh Verma.
There was no response from the DJB and the Delhi government in the matter.
Froth remains a recurring problem for Delhi authorities and turns into a political blame game every winter during Chhath.
A tender has been floated by the DJB to procure the anti-foaming material for Rs 1.94 lakh which is sprayed on the surface of the Yamuna stretch near Kalindi Kunj area.
According to DJB officials, the reason foam is formed is mainly because of the presence of surfactants like phosphates in the effluents flowing into the river. When the surfactant-tainted water falls down from the barrage height, it produces foam, which accumulates and floats on the water surface.
The Kalindi Kunj barrage is still under the control of Uttar Pradesh Irrigation department, and the DJB deploys a de-foaming agent to manage the problem as a temporary measure.
The government earlier said it is planning a long-term fix for white froth by reducing the height of the barrage.
(PTI News)
