: Another year, another plan to clean the Yamuna. This time, the Centre and the Delhi government have come together to launch projects under phase three of the Yamuna Action Plan.
Thousands of crores of rupees have already been spent over the years to clean the river, which has been reduced to a dirty drain in Delhi, without too much to show for it. But, on Saturday, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and Delhi Jal Board chairperson Kapil Mishra announced eight schemes that they said would work. Under the Centre’s ‘Namami Gange’ programme, the Union and Delhi governments launched a campaign to clean the Yamuna. Everything from rehabilitating the old sewer network to a trash skimmer will be a part of the plan that will cost about Rs.840 crore.
On Saturday, Ms. Bharti and Mr.Mishra inaugurated six schemes at a ceremony on the Chhat Ghat at ITO. The schemes include rehabilitation and upgrade of the Rithala Phase-1 sewage treatment plant with a tertiary treatment plant, and the rehabilitation of the Ashok Nagar and Jahangirpuri sewers. The trunk sewers number 4 and 5 as well as Narwana Road, Anand Vihar, Hargobind Enclave, Vikas Marg and Jhilmil sewers will also be rehabilitated.
The Chhat Ghat, where pilgrims descend to perform prayers and give offerings, will be rejuvenated.
Cleaning river surface
The Ministers also flagged off a programme to clean the river surface by launching a trash skimmer.
The boat would travel the length of the Yamuna in Delhi picking up floating solid waste.
A similar skimmer was used in the Ganges during the Kumbh Mela last year.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Bharti admitted that there had been no concrete results even though Rs.1,500 crore had been spent through phases one and two of the Yamuna Action Plan.
“However, our new plans will ensure that we, along with the Delhi Jal Board, make it a river that we take pride in,” said Ms. Bharti.
The DJB would be taking the initiative forward by submitting a comprehensive plan to the Union Water Resources Ministry as well as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal within a month, said Mr. Mishra.
“This Yamuna Action Plan-3 will be the first plan to comprehensively help with sewage treatment and solid waste management along with river front development and providing a proper Chhat Ghat for devotees,” said Mr. Mishra.
The DJB chairperson also promised that the river would be cleaned within 36 months.
Narwana Road, Anand Vihar, Hargobind Enclave, Vikas Marg
and Jhilmil sewers
will be revamped
