NEW DELHI: The process of cleaning the Yamuna river began in New Delhi on Monday, with a commitment to complete the task within three years, by 2027. The initiative, supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise, focuses on a multi-step strategy to rejuvenate the river.
Lieutenant governor VK Saxena unveiled a “four-pronged strategy” on Sunday, outlining key measures to restore the Yamuna within city limits. Cleaning operations, which include the deployment of trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility crafts, have already commenced. Saxena also met the chief secretary and senior officials to discuss the river rejuvenation plan.
The first step involves removing solid waste and silt from the riverbed, followed by cleaning major drains such as Najafgarh and Supplementary.
An official from the LG’s office stated, “A daily watch on the existing sewage treatment plants in terms of their capacity and output will be maintained, and a time-bound plan in terms of construction of new sewage treatment plants and decentralised sewage treatment plants will be put in place.”
Delhi’s additional chief secretary, Navin Kumar Choudhary, emphasized the government’s determination to execute the plan.
He stated, “As per the directions by the highest level, we will clean Yamuna in the next 3 years before 2027. The work will be done in 3-4 steps. The first is to remove the solid waste from the river bed. That work is going better and to repair all the STPs. We will also ensure that no chemical is discharged in Yamuna without getting treated.”
The restoration of the Yamuna was a critical topic during the Delhi Assembly elections. Prime Minister Modi, during his campaign, criticized the AAP government for failing to clean the river and pledged to make every effort to restore its sanctity.
Speaking at BJP’s victory celebrations, Modi said, “I pledged during the election campaign that we will make Yamunaji the identity of Delhi. I know this work is difficult and will take a long time. No matter how much time is spent, how much energy is used, we will make every effort to serve the Yamuna.”
Approximately 28 to 30 major drains discharge untreated wastewater directly into the Yamuna, with the Najafgarh and Barapulla drains being the largest contributors. Numerous smaller drains connect to these, further adding untreated water to the river, an official explained.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is actively addressing the issue of sewage entering storm drains and aims to complete this work within the next two to three months, according to Delhi’s additional chief secretary, Navin Kumar Choudhary.
