At a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today, among several points it was decided that treated water from Okhla will be released downstream into the Yamuna to improve the river’s water quality. Addressing the meeting, Shah said the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) should work in action mode to control water pollution.
He said the Delhi government should take continuous and effective steps to stop the increasing pollution from industrial units. Shah said apart from Delhi, chemicals are also coming into the Yamuna River through waste from other states, so all these states should work together to clean the river Yamuna.
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He emphasised on working on an action mode to improve the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the main drains of Najafgarh and Shahdara and on conducting a drone survey of Delhi’s two main drains, Najafgarh and Shahdara drains. He said apart from the efforts being made by the Delhi government to clean the rivers, there is a need to increase the budget of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
Shah laid special emphasis on cleaning the Yamuna as well as increasing the capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). He directed to increase the STP capacity to 1500 MGD by 2028. Shah said all three states, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, should make efforts for Yamuna’s rejuvenation and there should be regularity and transparency in testing of the water flowing out of their STPs. He emphasised on third party quality testing of STP outflow.
“There are many reservoirs in Delhi in which the Delhi government should make arrangements to collect rainwater. Developing these reservoirs will also promote tourism. The Delhi government should work in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to manage the waste produced by dairies and cow shelters. Stressed on managing the unauthorised dairies in the national capital,” said the Minister.
Shah laid special emphasis on increasing the e-flow in Yamuna and said there is a need to talk to the Uttar Pradesh government on this issue and find a solution so that the flow of Yamuna can be improved at the time of its entry into Delhi. He said the treated water of Okhla STP should be released downstream of Yamuna which will help in improving the quality of the river water.
Shah said a detailed survey should be conducted regarding water supply in Delhi, so that it can be ascertained how much water is required to be supplied for catering one and all living in Delhi. Uncontrolled water extraction through borewells is a big problem in Delhi, on which the Delhi Jal Board needs to work by making an action plan. He said that these borewells should be regularised in a phased manner.
The meeting was attended by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Home Secretary, Secretaries and senior officials of the concerned ministries and Delhi Government.
