Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of presiding over a steady deterioration of river health, alleging that “corrupt policies” and poor implementation have led to rising pollution and shrinking water flow.
Akhilesh’s Allegations on River Contamination
In a statement, Akhilesh claimed that major rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna and Gomti, were facing severe contamination due to unchecked discharge of untreated sewage and waste. He alleged that monitoring systems had weakened and that river-cleaning mechanisms were either ineffective or poorly maintained.
“The condition of rivers has deteriorated because of BJP govt’s corrupt policies. Polluted water continues to flow into rivers and there is no effective cleaning system in place. The Gomti is gradually disappearing in Lucknow and is struggling for its existence,” he said.
Comparison with Previous SP Government
Drawing a comparison with his tenure, Akhilesh said his government had initiated measures to ensure cleaner rivers and uninterrupted flow. He cited the Gomti Riverfront project as a model for river conservation and urban rejuvenation, claiming it had improved water quality and prevented direct inflow from drains.
According to him, several such initiatives were discontinued or neglected after the change in regime, resulting in increased pollution, obstruction of natural channels and declining water levels. “Today, the Gomti has dried up at several stretches, and its flow has been obstructed. Similar conditions prevail in other rivers as well,” he alleged.
Impact on Public Health and Environment
“The government claims success on paper, but ground reality reflects administrative failure and corruption,” he said, adding that deteriorating river conditions were also aggravating public health and environmental concerns.
Akhilesh said voters would hold the government accountable in the 2027 assembly elections and promised a renewed push for river rejuvenation if the SP returns to power. The BJP had not issued an immediate response to the allegations.
SP’s Plantation Campaign
In a related development, the Samajwadi Party has asked its cadre and office-bearers across the state to launch a week-long plantation campaign from July 1-7, coinciding with party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s birthday. Under the initiative, party workers will plant “PDA saplings” at the booth level across villages and urban localities to promote environmental protection and social harmony. The campaign would also focus on expanding the party’s outreach among distressed and marginalized families.
