The granite-graphite idol, crafted over three months, is part of a broader initiative led by the Delhi LG to restore the Yamuna floodplains, tackle pollution, and involve citizens in river conservation.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, August 11, 2025 — Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday unveiled a 10-foot-high statue of “Maa Yamuna” on the banks of the river near ISBT Kashmere Gate, calling it a tribute to the Yamuna’s cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy.
Installed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the idol is said to be the first of its kind in the capital. It stands atop a 7-foot pedestal and depicts Maa Yamuna mounted on her symbolic tortoise (Kurma) while holding a kalash — representing abundance, fertility, and the life-giving essence of water. The statue faces the river’s origin point, while the tortoise faces the Yamuna’s flow, which runs just steps away.
According to Saxena, the installation is part of an ongoing initiative to rejuvenate the Yamuna floodplains in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “The Yamuna is more than a river; it is a part of our living heritage that has shaped our culture and beliefs. This idol honours that sacred connection and reminds us to protect its sanctity for future generations,” he said in a post on X.
Had the honour of unveiling the majestic “माँ यमुना प्रतिमा”, installed by DDA on the banks of the Yamuna near ISBT Kashmere Gate. A first in Delhi, this idol honouring the Yamuna’s cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy and blending it with the nature and the community,… pic.twitter.com/A4uvqVWKiY
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) August 11, 2025
Crafted by Delhi artisans over a period of three months, the 150-kilogram statue is made from a composite of granite and graphite powders bound with resin for durability. The LG described the unveiling as “a significant milestone” in integrating nature, community, and heritage in riverfront development.
Delhi LG Saxena has been spearheading a series of initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna, a river long plagued by pollution and encroachments. Under his leadership, multiple agencies — including the Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and civic bodies — have been mobilised to desilt drains, remove debris, and clear illegal constructions along the riverbanks. The LG has also pushed for the installation of in-situ cleaning systems at major drains to treat wastewater before it enters the Yamuna, alongside stricter monitoring of industrial effluents. Regular inspection drives, often led personally by Saxena, have ensured accountability and faster execution of projects.
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In addition to infrastructure measures, the Delhi LG has emphasised community participation, recognising that sustainable change requires public involvement. Awareness campaigns, clean-up drives with volunteers, and collaborations with NGOs have been launched to sensitise citizens about the importance of keeping the Yamuna clean. The LG has also coordinated with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to align Delhi’s river-cleaning efforts with broader national programmes. By combining administrative enforcement with civic engagement, Saxena has positioned the clean-up of the Yamuna as both an environmental priority and a shared social responsibility.
