NMCG gears up to clean Yamuna River, the largest tributary of Ganga

Mar 25, 2022

New Delhi, Mar 25, 2022, (ANI): World’s largest urban conglomeration, the National Capital Region of India has witnessed an exponential growth—both in terms of economy and geography. Expectedly, the population too has grown quickly. This multi-fold expansion in population has also paved the way for a rapid accumulation of land and river pollution. The largest tributary of India’s most pious river Ganga not just appears stagnant but rotten due to the colossal amount of dirt, dust and untreated filth that have fallen directly into the river. National Mission for Clean Ganga through its Namami Gange project aims to clean it. A nearly 22 km stretch of Yamuna has been identified and the authorities are on mission mode to stop sewage flow into the river. The National Mission for Clean Ganga has initiated setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants across the city. The one of the biggest STPs, Coronation Pillar Sewage Treatment Plant in Delhi was recently visited by senior officials from the National Mission for Clean Ganga to take stock of the ongoing construction work. This STP will treat 318 MLD of wastewater at an estimated cost of Rs. 515 crore, out of which 414 crore is the capital cost. The 50 percent of the capital cost is borne by National Mission for Clean Ganga. Delhi, presently, generates an estimated sewage flow of 3273 MLD out of which 2340 MLD sewage is treated against the installed capacity of 2624 MLD. There is a discharge of 933 MLD untreated sewage into the river Yamuna. A total of 12 projects for the treatment of 1385 MLD sewage have been taken up at a cost of Rs. 2354 crore under Namami Gange Program in Delhi, to abate the pollution in River Yamuna. The government’s sincere efforts by restricting the flow of urban sewage and industrial effluents from the city will help keep Yamuna clean. The government’s comprehensive plan also involves modernizing and regulating Dhobi ghats, which the authorities say have proven dangerous to both the sanctity and purity of the river. The NMCG, in collaboration with the Delhi government is also building Decentralized-STPs in parks of Delhi. The government says a holistic approach is what is required to treat the capital’s sewage and this is going to be the fundamental level approach that will reward it with tangible results in the long run.