Over 10,000 people begin 10-day Clean Yamuna march

Mathura (UP), March 1: Over 10,000 devotees and volunteers started their 10-day march to Delhi from Vrindavan demanding substantial efforts to keep the Yamuna river clean. The protesters are expected to reach Delhi on March 10, where they would hold an indefinite dharna near the Parliament. The participants included saints, volunteers, Bharatiya Kisan Union activists and members of religious and social groups.

"Our two major demands are that at least 50 per cent of water from Hathini Kund barrage is released into Yamuna and concrete steps are taken to stop the discharge of pollutants, effluents and sewer waste into the river by drains of Delhi," President of Yamuna Rakshak Dal, Sant Jai Krishna Das said. It should be ensured that drains from Delhi to Allahabad do not discharge pollutants into the river, he said.

"We would be satisfied only if discharge of drain water of Delhi and other areas into Yamuna is stopped and parallel drains on both side of river are constructed for the flow of drain water," he said. Earlier some three thousand activists of Yamuna Rakshak Dal worshipped and bathed Yamuna in Mathura and Vrindavan. Meanwhile, the district authorities made an elaborate arrangement to manage traffic during the march.

"The traffic was diverted on seven different routes to ensure smooth flow of traffic," SSP Pradeep Yadav said.

PTI