Yamuna cleaning begins days before BJP government formation in Delhi

Days before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is set to take charge in Delhi, an intensive cleaning drive for the Yamuna River has been launched. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to making the Yamuna pollution-free, a promise he reiterated during the BJP’s assembly election victory celebrations.

The cleanup drive has been structured around a four-pronged strategy, utilizing modern equipment such as trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredgers to remove waste and pollutants from the river. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has taken charge of overseeing the execution of this massive project, ensuring seamless coordination among multiple agencies.

PM Modi’s Pledge to Restore the Yamuna

During the BJP’s victory celebrations on February 8, PM Modi emphasized the spiritual and cultural significance of the Yamuna, vowing to make it pollution-free.

“Maa Yamuna is the source of our spirituality. We bow down to the Yamuna Devi, who always wishes us well. But these people (AAP) did not pay any attention to Maa Yamuna and insulted our beliefs. The beliefs of the people of Delhi were crushed under the feet of these people and then blatantly accused Haryana.”

His statement pointed towards political blame games and accusations of mismanagement by the previous Delhi government, hinting at the lack of accountability in addressing the Yamuna’s pollution crisis.

The Four-Pronged Strategy to Clean the Yamuna

According to officials at Raj Niwas, the Yamuna cleanup initiative is based on four key components:

1. Removing Trash and Silt – Large-scale mechanized cleaning of riverbanks and water surfaces using specialized equipment like trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredgers.
2. Cleaning Major Drains – Simultaneous cleaning operations in the Najafgarh drain, supplementary drain, and other major drains that feed into the Yamuna.
3. Enhancing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) – Daily monitoring of the capacity and output of existing STPs, ensuring proper treatment of sewage before discharge into the river.
4. Constructing New STPs and Decentralized STPs – A time-bound project to build new STPs and address the treatment shortfall of approximately 400 MGD (million gallons per day) of sewage.

These measures aim to significantly reduce pollution levels, ensuring the revival of aquatic life and improving water quality in the Yamuna.

Coordination Across Agencies for Effective Implementation

The success of this ambitious cleanup drive depends on the seamless coordination of multiple agencies, including:

• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
• Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
• Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC)
• Environment Department
• Public Works Department (PWD)
• Delhi Development Authority (DDA)

According to a senior official at the Delhi LG’s office, weekly monitoring will be conducted at the highest level to ensure progress and accountability. Additionally, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been directed to strictly monitor and prevent the discharge of untreated industrial waste into the Yamuna.

Past Efforts and Legal Challenges

The initiative follows previous attempts to rejuvenate the Yamuna, notably in January 2023, when a National Green Tribunal (NGT)-mandated high-level committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. However, this committee was dissolved after just five meetings due to a legal challenge by the then AAP-led Delhi government, which contested its formation in the Supreme Court. On July 10, 2023, the apex court stayed the NGT order, effectively halting the committee’s work. During its brief existence, the committee had shown positive results, with Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels improving slightly on a month-on-month basis.

A Renewed Hope for a Cleaner Yamuna

With the BJP government set to take charge, the revitalization of the Yamuna River has emerged as a top priority. This initiative, backed by scientific methods and strong political will, aims to bring tangible results in the next three years.

As monitoring and execution efforts intensify, residents of Delhi remain hopeful that the holy Yamuna will finally regain its lost glory and once again become a symbol of purity and prosperity.