New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a crucial high-level meeting in New Delhi today to review the progress and future roadmap for the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River.
The meeting saw the presence of Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Shri Manohar Lal, Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, along with the Union Home Secretary, secretaries from concerned ministries, and senior officials from the Delhi Government.
During the review, Shri Amit Shah called for urgent, coordinated action from all stakeholders to tackle the growing pollution levels in the Yamuna.
He highlighted the vital role of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and urged it to switch to “action mode” to address water pollution with greater urgency.
The Home Minister also asked the Delhi Government to step up monitoring and enforcement to curb the discharge of pollutants from industrial units in the capital.
Shri Shah pointed out that industrial effluents and untreated waste from not just Delhi, but also from neighboring states, were contaminating the Yamuna. He called for a collaborative effort among Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to clean the river and improve its water quality.
A major focus of the discussion was on improving the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, two of the most significant contributors to Yamuna’s pollution.
Shri Shah recommended that drone surveys be conducted on both drains to assess the extent of pollution and monitor the progress of cleanup activities. He also stressed on the need to enhance the budget for the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which also supports the Yamuna’s restoration under its ambit.
The Union Home Minister laid special emphasis on increasing the capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Delhi. He directed that the capacity be enhanced to 1,500 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) by 2028.
He underlined the importance of transparency and accountability in the functioning of these plants and advocated for third-party quality checks to monitor the outflow from STPs.
Highlighting the importance of water conservation and tourism, Shri Shah suggested that the Delhi Government develop and utilize existing reservoirs to collect rainwater. According to him, this initiative would not only aid in improving water availability but also open up avenues for tourism development.
Addressing the problem of waste generated by dairies and cow shelters, Shri Shah proposed a joint effort with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to implement efficient waste management systems.
He further emphasized the need to bring unauthorized dairies under regulation to control the discharge of untreated waste into the water bodies.
To improve the ecological flow (e-flow) of the Yamuna, the Home Minister suggested initiating discussions with the Uttar Pradesh government. He recommended that the treated water from the Okhla STP be released downstream to help improve water quality as the river enters Delhi.
He also called for a comprehensive survey of Delhi’s water supply system to determine actual water demand. Addressing the over-extraction of groundwater through unregulated borewells, Shri Shah directed the Delhi Jal Board to develop a phased action plan to regularize borewells and curb uncontrolled water extraction.
The Union Home Minister concluded the meeting by stressing on the need for inter-state cooperation, scientific planning, increased funding, and strict regulatory mechanisms to rejuvenate the Yamuna River.
The meeting underlined that the river’s revival is not just an environmental priority but also a critical component of public health, urban planning, and sustainable development for the National Capital Region.
