📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Srvkumar09
Crime
Illegal Paint Units Operate in East Delhi, Dump Toxic Chemicals into Yamuna
✍️ Amar Ujala · Delhi
🗓 07 Sep 2026, 10:30 PM
👁 15
Video footage shows paint units continuing operations in East Delhi despite a ban, discharging hazardous chemicals into the Yamuna River.
Video recordings obtained by local media reveal that several paint‑mixing units in East Delhi are still active despite a municipal order prohibiting their operation. The footage captures trucks and drums moving in and out of makeshift facilities, with visible discharge of coloured effluent into nearby drains that feed the Yamuna River.
Authorities had imposed the ban earlier this month after a spike in water‑quality tests showed elevated levels of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Environmental officials warned that continued dumping could exacerbate the river's already critical pollution levels, affecting downstream communities.
The illegal activity has prompted the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to launch a surprise inspection drive. Officials said they will seize equipment, levy fines, and pursue legal action against owners who flout the ban. The move aims to curb further contamination and protect public health.
Local residents, who rely on the Yamuna for daily chores, expressed concern over the potential health risks, citing past incidents of water‑borne diseases linked to industrial discharge. Community groups have called for stricter monitoring and swift enforcement.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by the capital in balancing industrial activity with environmental safeguards, especially as the river remains a lifeline for millions of citizens.
Authorities had imposed the ban earlier this month after a spike in water‑quality tests showed elevated levels of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Environmental officials warned that continued dumping could exacerbate the river's already critical pollution levels, affecting downstream communities.
The illegal activity has prompted the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to launch a surprise inspection drive. Officials said they will seize equipment, levy fines, and pursue legal action against owners who flout the ban. The move aims to curb further contamination and protect public health.
Local residents, who rely on the Yamuna for daily chores, expressed concern over the potential health risks, citing past incidents of water‑borne diseases linked to industrial discharge. Community groups have called for stricter monitoring and swift enforcement.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by the capital in balancing industrial activity with environmental safeguards, especially as the river remains a lifeline for millions of citizens.