Pollution of the Yamuna River was a major issue in the recent Assembly election in Delhi with parties accusing each other while assuring cleaning measures.
Ironically, it further deteriorated after becoming the primary source of water for Delhi. Now that BJP is going to govern Delhi, there is pressure building up to fulfill its promise of reviving the river. The AAP was criticized for not achieving its 2025 clean-up target, with Arvind Kejriwal accusing the BJP government in Haryana of deliberate pollution.
Now that BJP rules Delhi, Haryana, and the Center, its determination to desilt the much-polluted Yamuna faces close examination.
Social Media Discussion on Yamuna's Pollution Crisis:
Dr. Munish Raizada used social media platform 'X' to interact with @grok, seeking insights on when the Yamuna River in Delhi would finally be cleaned. He posted,
"Hello @grok brother!
When will the Yamuna River in Delhi become clean?"
Responding, @grok conceded that a clean Yamuna is still an elusive dream. Quoting the 2025 PRS report, @grok pointed out,
"Hi MunishRaizada1 brother!
The Yamuna River in Delhi remains a distant dream to clean up. The 2025 PRS report reveals that 80% of pollution is caused by untreated sewage and that the STPs in Delhi are running at less than full capacity. Furthermore, the spilling of heavy metals and waste continues to be a significant concern."
Noting this reaction, Dr. Munish Raizada reasserted his support for promoting prompt action. He answered,
"Thanks, @grok brother. I am mentioning the Chief Minister of Delhi and Prime Minister of India so that proper action can be taken in this matter."
The Standing Committee on Water Resources, led by Mr. Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), brought out its report on February 6, 2024, examining the Upper Yamuna River cleaning schemes and riverbed maintenance in Delhi. Some of the major recommendations are:
Groundwater Management:
The Delhi Jal Board maintains 130 production wells with a production of 196 MLD, with possibilities for a further production of 190 MLD. Over-extraction during dry periods draws down the river. The Committee recommended micro and drip irrigation, water budgeting, and watershed management.
Illegal Sand Mining:
More than 3,792 instances of sand mining were reported in Haryana in five years, resulting in riverbed damage and bank erosion. The Committee urged coordination among Yamuna basin states to check illegal mining and create a monitoring portal.
Riverbed Pollution:
Incidents of dumping waste in Yamuna increased from one in 2018 to 610 in 2021, with toxic metals identified in sludge. Suggestions are for stricter regulations for dumping, dredging within control, and a system for disposing of contaminated sludge.
Industrial Effluent Treatment:
Out of 28 industrial clusters of Delhi, only 17 are linked to Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), and these run at merely 32% of their capacity. Regulating illegal industries and enhancing CETP efficiency were suggested by the Committee.
Water Quality Issues:
During 2021-2023, 23 out of 33 locations monitored were not meeting primary water quality standards. Dissolved oxygen, essential for aquatic organisms, was virtually nonexistent in the Delhi part of the Yamuna.
Sewage Contamination:
80% of pollution in the river is due to municipal sewage that generates poisonous foam. STPs in Yamuna states are running below capacity, 57% being that of Uttarakhand and 78% of Uttar Pradesh. The Committee suggested that untreated sewage should be plugged, sewer networks enlarged, STP capacity increased, and a "Clean Yamuna Fund" instituted under Namami Gange.
Fertilizer and Solid Waste Pollution:
High fertilizer application pollutes soil, and Delhi does not process solid waste. Solutions involve encouraging organic farming, the installation of drainage screens, and moving cremation grounds away from the river.
References:
1. PRS India. Review of Upper Yamuna River Cleaning Projects up to Delhi and Riverbed Management in Delhi. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://prsindia.org/policy/report-summaries/review-of-upper-yamuna-river-cleaning-projects-up-to-delhi-and-riverbed-management-in-delhi.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)