NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced several key initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna River. The plan includes the construction of decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs), upgrading existing STPs, and deploying modern waste management equipment to curb pollution in the river.
As part of the initiative, the Delhi government will set up 40 decentralised STPs at a cost of Rs 500 crore. These plants will treat wastewater before it enters the main drainage system, reducing pollution levels in the Yamuna. Additionally, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for a drain-tapping project that will divert and treat wastewater from major drains, ensuring that untreated sewage does not flow directly into the river.
“The Yamuna is not just a river; it represents our cultural and historical heritage. Cleaning it remains a key priority in this budget and a commitment to the people of Delhi,” CM Gupta stated in her budget speech.
The Najafgarh Drain, one of the biggest contributors to Yamuna pollution, will undergo significant transformation, with Rs 200 crore set aside for its conversion and interception. To further support river-cleaning efforts, Rs 40 crore will be used to procure advanced machinery, including trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredging equipment. CM Gupta reiterated that this was more than just a budgetary allocation, calling it a firm promise to the people. “Our commitment to a cleaner Yamuna is unwavering. This project will mark a significant step in restoring the river’s health and improving Delhi’s overall water management,” she said.
The initiative comes amid heightened political focus on Yamuna’s pollution. During the recent Delhi Assembly elections, the issue was a major point of contention between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both during the campaign and after the BJP’s victory, had emphasized that cleaning the Yamuna would be a top priority for the new administration.
Following the formation of the new government, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma had claimed that 1,300 tonnes of waste had been removed from the heavily polluted river in just 10 days.