Yamuna will be revived in five years: Kejriwal

New Delhi, Nov 13: The heavily-polluted Yamuna river in Delhi will be cleaned and revived within five years, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said here today.

Kejriwal, along with his cabinet colleagues and senior Delhi government officials, took part in the first 'Yamuna Aarti' held at the Kudesia Ghat, near ISBT, on the banks of the river.

He said Yamuna river was not clean but today a very big start has been made, and added, his government was taking several steps to improve condition of the river. "We will revive Yamuna within five years," Kejriwal said, adding that a plan has been prepared to stop the flow of drains in the Yamuna in next 1-2 year.

Kejriwal said a new company was being formed with Union Urban Development Ministry on the line of Delhi Metro, in which the Delhi government and the central government each would have 50 per cent partnership.

"The entire land of Yamuna and its banks, from Palla to Okhla will be transferred to the company, which will prevent disputes. One company should be responsible for cleaning the river, arranging water in it and developing its banks," he added.

Deputy Chief Minster Manish Sisodia, Delhi Assembly deputy speaker Ram Niwas Goyal, Water and Tourism minister Kapil Mishra were also present at the 'Aarti'. "AAP government has extended use of natural infrastructure as well to achieve task of Nirmal Yamuna (pure Yamuna).

Decentralised Sewage treatment system is one of them which will prevent sewage flowing into drains leading to Yamuna and reduce dependency on fresh water," Mishra said.

The Yamuna Aarti will now be conducted on a daily basis on the river at Gita Ghat in East Delhi, and will have massive celebrations at special festivals to be aided by the Delhi government as part of its strategy to revive and rejuvenate the River Yamuna and the culture around it, he said.

Many ministers and MLAs of AAP government as well as wife the Chief Minister, Sunita Kejriwal performed Yamuna Aarti among the chanting of Vedic hymns by priests from Varanasi who were specially invited for the programme.

PTI