NEW DELHI: A total of 18 drains of Delhi, whose water flows into the Yamuna, create 80 per cent pollution in the river, Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti said today as she announced that an ambitious project to clear Yamuna will begin in April 2016.
The 20 km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi is considered to be the most polluted part of the river, Bharti said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.
The Minister said a comprehensive plan is being worked out to keep the water in a reservoir during monsoon and release it during non-monsoon months so that the water level of the river remains the same and clean.
"We will start the project from April next year. The efforts for cleaning Yamuna are expected to show desired results by 2019," she said.
Bharti said by 2017, the 20 km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi will be cleaned considerably but a joint effort of central and Delhi governments is required for it.
"I appeal to the Delhi government, let us clean the Yamuna together. We will have to fast-track the cleaning process of Yamuna, else it would take at least 15 years to clean the entire river," she said.
The Minister said the total expenditure incurred on the conservation of Yamuna under Yamuna Action Plan Phase - I and II was Rs 1514.70 crore including consultancy services.
The Ministry has released Rs 9.96 crore to Delhi Jal Board for YAP-III till date. An amount of Rs 88.66 crore has been released by the Ministry towards implementation of Sonepat and Panipat projects till date, she said.