Yamuna River Cleaning Begins Delhi LG VK Saxena Shared Four-Pronged Strategy Plan
At long last, the Yamuna River in Delhi is seeing the beginning of its much-needed cleanup. On Sunday, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena launched an ambitious four-pronged strategy aimed at transforming the river’s health over the next three years.
The Four-Pronged Strategy
The plan includes:
- Clearing the River: Immediate action has been taken to remove trash, garbage, and silt from the Yamuna’s stream. This is the first step in reducing pollution and restoring the river’s natural flow.
- Drainage System Overhaul: Cleaning operations will extend to key drainage systems like the Najafgarh Drain and Supplementary Drain, tackling pollution at its source.
- Monitoring Sewage Treatment: Existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will be under constant scrutiny to ensure they operate at full capacity and treat waste effectively.
- Expanding Treatment Capacity: A targeted plan to build new STPs and Decentralized STPs (DSTPs) will address the shortfall of treating about 400 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewer, ensuring all waste is managed before reaching the river.
To aid in this massive cleanup, the government has deployed trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility crafts. These machines are already in operation, scooping up waste and clearing pathways for cleaner water flow.
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The execution of this plan requires a coordinated effort among various departments including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA). This multi-agency approach underscores the complexity of rejuvenating an urban river like the Yamuna.
The initiative was highlighted on social media by Raj Niwas Delhi, emphasizing its alignment with promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent assembly elections. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has also been tasked with cracking down on industrial units that pollute the river by releasing untreated effluents.
