Delhi, the persistent and alarmingly high levels of pollution in the Yamuna River continue to be a source of profound concern.
Despite ongoing efforts and numerous initiatives, the goal of restoring the river to a state of potability and cleanliness appears to remain a distant aspiration, demanding significantly more concerted and effective action from authorities. A recent comprehensive report released by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has starkly highlighted several critical areas of concern, painting a grim picture of the river’s health. However, amidst the predominantly negative findings, the report also offered a faint glimmer of hope with the noted decline in phosphate levels in specific stretches of the river, alongside a reduction in ammoniacal nitrogen. The distressing state of the Yamuna’s pollution was a prominent issue during the recent Delhi elections, underscoring its significance in the public consciousness. The DPCC report suggests a potentially positive trend with the observed decrease in the average phosphate level in May, recorded at 1.57 milligrams per litre (mg/litre), down from 1.92 mg/litre in April. This reduction is particularly encouraging as high phosphate concentrations are a major contributor to the unsightly and environmentally damaging foam that frequently blankets the river’s surface. However, the report also revealed alarmingly high phosphate levels in specific locations, reaching 5.77 mg/litre in Asagpur and 5.44 mg/litre in Okhla during the same month, indicating that the problem remains acute in certain zones.
Further deepening the concern, the DPCC report meticulously documented the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels across various points along the river. Alarmingly high BOD levels were detected in areas such as Pall, Wazirabad, and Okhla, unequivocally indicating a substantial presence of organic waste in these stretches. At key locations like ITO, Nizamuddin, and Asgarpur, BOD recordings soared to between 30 and 56 mg/litre, far exceeding the permissible limit of a mere 3 mg/litre, signifying severe organic pollution. Equally troubling was the complete absence of dissolved oxygen at six out of the eight sampling points investigated, a critical indicator of a severely compromised aquatic ecosystem unable to support life. The primary culprits behind the excessive foaming in the Yamuna are identified as the continuous discharge of untreated pollutants and raw sewage, laden with high quantities of phosphate, directly into the river. While the DPCC report claims a minor decrease in phosphate and BOD levels in certain areas, the overall picture remains bleak. Phosphate, commonly found in detergents, significantly reduces the surface tension of water upon entering it, directly contributing to the formation of the pervasive and toxic foam.
Officials have attributed the slight decrease in phosphate levels to recent cleaning initiatives targeting drains that empty into the Yamuna, coupled with higher than average rainfall in the city during the reporting period. Increased water flow during the monsoon months typically helps to dilute pollutant concentrations to some extent. However, these marginal improvements offer little solace in the face of the overwhelming pollution crisis. The presence of coliform bacteria in the Yamuna’s waters is another critical health hazard, reaching dangerously high levels. In the Nizamuddin area, the coliform count was recorded at a staggering 79,000 most probable number (mpn) per 100 millilitres (ml), dwarfing the permissible limit of 2,500 mpn/100 ml. Similarly, elevated levels of ammoniacal nitrogen, touching 2.36 mg/litre, far surpass the acceptable threshold, posing further risks to public health and the river’s fragile ecosystem.
Dr Anil Kumar Gupta, a DPCC board member and environmental expert, unequivocally stated that the continued influx of untreated sewage and industrial waste into the Yamuna remains a paramount concern, severely impacting the river’s water quality and its ability to sustain life. While acknowledging the minor reductions in phosphate and ammoniacal nitrogen levels in some areas as a potential indication that government efforts are yielding some initial results, he stressed the critical need for constant vigilance and sustained improvements to truly rehabilitate the severely degraded condition of the Yamuna. The challenge of cleaning Delhi’s primary water source remains a monumental task requiring a multi-pronged and unwavering commitment to effective pollution control measures and long-term ecological restoration strategies.
Also Read: https://urbanacres.in/jk-tyre-launches…-tyre-in-chennai/
