HomeInfrastructureDelhi rolls out 45‑point Yamuna revival plan over two years

Delhi rolls out 45‑point Yamuna revival plan over two years

The Delhi government has launched a comprehensive 45-point action plan, marshalling multiple agencies, to revitalise the Yamuna River within an ambitious two-year timeframe. This decisive strategy targets critical challenges in sewerage treatment and drain trapping, underscoring a profound commitment to restoring the river’s ecological health. The initiative is pivotal for fostering a zero-net carbon, eco-friendly, sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable urban environment, enhancing the overall liveability and public health of the capital.

The extensive action plan, approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) meeting, consolidates existing projects with new initiatives under ten distinct working heads, each assigned specific deadlines. Key areas of focus include sewage management, comprehensive drain trapping, efficient solid waste management, robust storm water management, and critically, increasing the flow into the Yamuna River. This integrated approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of river pollution, aiming for synergistic interventions that yield tangible and lasting environmental improvements for the city.

A stark reality driving this urgent intervention is Delhi’s disproportionate contribution to the Yamuna’s pollution load. Despite accounting for only two per cent of the river’s entire length, the capital contributes a staggering 76 per cent of its total pollution. Addressing this imbalance is central to the rejuvenation efforts. A significant component involves the DJB creating a dedicated conveyance system to return treated water from three major sewage treatment plants (STPs) – Coronation Pillar, Yamuna Vihar, and the colossal Okhla STP – back into the river by September 2026. This measure is mandatory for maintaining the river’s essential flow and diluting pollutants.

The plan also mandates a series of crucial inter-agency actions. The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department is tasked with deploying floating skimmers on the Yamuna and the notoriously polluted Najafgarh Drain to collect debris, with floating pontoons to be installed at major drain outfalls by the month’s end. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been directed to strictly monitor and prevent solid waste from entering drains, while the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is responsible for clearing waste dumps from floodplains and removing encroachments by November this year. These actions collectively aim to restore the natural integrity of the river and its banks.

A long-term cornerstone of the strategy is the Interceptor Sewage Project (ISP), which involves trapping all drains and diverting their wastewater to nearby STPs. The DJB has been given a strict deadline of September 2025 to complete all ISP packages, with specific targets for tapping major drains like Sonia Vihar, Barapullah, Maharani Bagh, and Shahadra by March 2026. Furthermore, the DJB and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) must identify gaps in existing STPs by September 2025, and the Industries Department will assess common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in industrial areas, ensuring robust industrial discharge management.

The impetus behind this accelerated cleanup is clear: the BJP government has made Yamuna rejuvenation a prominent promise, allocating a substantial ₹9,000 crore to the water and sewerage sector in its latest budget. This significant financial commitment, coupled with the directive for strict time efficiency across all departments, signals a determined political will to deliver on this critical environmental and public health agenda. The revitalisation of the Yamuna is not merely an ecological task; it is a profound social and moral obligation, promising a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future for the citizens of Delhi.

Also Read: Delhi seeks Rs 950 cr Central Road Fund for 415 km road upgrade

Delhi rolls out 45‑point Yamuna revival plan over two years
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