The petitioner's counsel said the ghats and the river Yamuna should be cleaned for Chhath Puja, but the Delhi High Court said this could not be done overnight as it was a challenging exercise.

The court was informed by the Delhi Government that Yamuna riverbed is highly polluted and if the devotees are allowed to perform Chhath Puja on the riverbed, they can fall sick.

Delhi High Court dismisses plea for Chhath Puja along Yamuna due to pollution, offers alternative arrangements at 1,000 ghats.

The first day of Chhath Puja on Tuesday saw devotees immerse themselves in Yamuna for their ritual baths despite thick layers of toxic foam covering its surface. At the Kalindi Kunj and Sur ghat area, worshippers performed the holy baths in the polluted river, raising significant health and safety