During the Delhi Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to prioritize the purification of the Yamuna River. In response, LG VK Saxena has initiated work on this promise. LG Saxena announced that the promised action by the PM has commenced. He recently conferred with the Chief Secretary, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
Currently, the removal of waste from the river has begun rapidly, employing machines like trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility crafts to clean the river efficiently. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena met with the Chief Secretary and ACS (I & FC) yesterday, instructing them to start work immediately.
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The first strategy involves clearing trash, debris, and silt from the Yamuna River and includes the cleansing of Najafgarh Drain, Supplementary Drain, and other main waterways.
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The second strategy will extend the cleaning efforts to Najafgarh and Supplementary Drains, along with other pivotal drains.
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The third strategy entails daily monitoring of the capacity and output of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs).
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The fourth strategy outlines a scheduled plan for building new STPs and DSTPs to address the real shortfall of approximately 400 MGD of untreated water.
To realize this ambitious project, coordination among various agencies and departments is being emphasized to avoid hindrances. Agencies like DJB, I & FC, MCD, Environmental Department, PWD, and DDA will execute these tasks. The work will be monitored at a high level on a weekly basis.
Further Reading: 32 Years, Uncountable Promises, Plan After Plan, Yet... Why the Action Plan Couldn't Clean Yamuna?
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been instructed to ensure that no untreated industrial water is released into the drains. The rejuvenation of the Yamuna commenced in January 2023, in a mission mode, following the formation of a high-level committee (HLC) led by Lieutenant Governor Saxena, as directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
However, after five meetings, the then Aam Aadmi Party government petitioned the Supreme Court and obtained a stay on the NGT's orders, which subsequently stalled the Yamuna revitalization efforts. Minor improvements in COD/BOD levels regressed, and pollution peaked at record levels earlier this year.
