November 6, 2024: In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to allow devotees to perform Chhath Puja at the Yamuna River bank in Geeta Colony, citing severe pollution levels that pose a risk to public health.

A bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed concerns about the hazardous state of the river, emphasizing that the pollution was so high that it would be dangerous for individuals to take part in the traditional rituals. "It will be very harmful to you. The fact is that the river is so polluted that if you dip into it, there is the likelihood that… a person will suffer harm. We can't allow that. The river itself is highly polluted," the court remarked.

The ruling followed submissions by Delhi government's counsel, Santosh Kumar Tripathi, who confirmed that the Yamuna river's water quality was at an alarming level of contamination. Tripathi highlighted the risk to the health of devotees, warning that performing Chhath Puja at the riverbed could lead to serious illnesses due to exposure to toxic water.

The Delhi government also reassured the court that ample arrangements had been made to facilitate the Chhath Puja at other locations. According to Tripathi, 1,000 designated spots across the city have been set up for devotees to perform the rituals in a safe environment, away from the polluted stretch of the river.

This decision comes in the wake of a troubling environmental situation, with thick toxic foam visible in the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj, underscoring the dire state of the river's water quality. The court referenced its earlier order in the Shabnam Burney case, where it had taken judicial notice of the ongoing environmental crisis, noting that pollution levels in the Yamuna were at an all-time high.

The decision has sparked a mixed reaction among residents and religious groups, with some expressing disappointment at the limitations placed on traditional celebrations, while others acknowledge the need for stricter environmental safeguards. However, health experts have supported the court's verdict, underscoring the dangers of exposure to highly contaminated water, which can cause serious waterborne diseases.