Yamuna River Cleanup Initiative: PM Modi's Pre-Election Assurance in Motion
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Synopsis
On February 16, the cleaning efforts for the Yamuna River in New Delhi began, following Prime Minister Modi's election promise. Modern technology is being employed to remove debris and pollution from the river, highlighting a coordinated approach among various agencies.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's commitment to clean the Yamuna is being realized.
- Advanced machinery like trash skimmers is being utilized.
- A comprehensive strategy is in place to tackle pollution.
- Collaboration among multiple agencies is essential for success.
- The Delhi Pollution Control Committee is overseeing industrial discharges.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (NationPress) During the Delhi Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to clean the Yamuna River if the BJP secured a victory at the polls. Following the BJP's success, the initiative has already been set into motion, even prior to the establishment of the new government. Advanced equipment such as trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredging utility crafts were deployed to commence the cleaning operations of the Yamuna River on Sunday in the capital city.
On the previous day, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena convened a meeting with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation and Flood Control), instructing them to initiate the cleanup immediately.
The office of the Lieutenant Governor disseminated videos showcasing the cleanup efforts, confirming that the cleanup of the Yamuna River is underway. The machinery, including skimmers and dredging utility crafts, is being utilized to extract waste, aquatic plants, and other debris from the river.
A comprehensive four-pronged strategy has been devised for the revitalization of the Yamuna River. Initially, the plan involves the removal of waste, litter, and silt accumulated in the water. Cleaning operations for the Najafgarh drain, additional drains, and other significant drains will also commence. The third aspect focuses on the daily oversight of the capacity and performance of the existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). The fourth component involves formulating a timeline for the construction of new STPs and DSTPs to address the estimated shortfall of approximately 400 MGD of contaminated water.
Effective execution of this ambitious initiative will require seamless collaboration among various agencies and departments, including the Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control, Delhi Municipal Corporation, Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and DDA. These endeavors will be scrutinized at high levels on a weekly basis.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has been tasked with ensuring that industrial facilities within the city refrain from discharging contaminated water into the drains. This measure is part of the broader efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna River, enhance the quality of its water, and mitigate pollution.
The restoration initiative for the Yamuna commenced in January 2023, operating in mission mode when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) established a high-level committee chaired by L-G Saxena. The committee's goal is to tackle the river's pollution and implement concrete measures for its restoration. The committee has mandated that industrial units in Delhi must not release any dirty or polluted water into the drainage system.
After five meetings of the high-level committee overseeing the cleanup efforts, the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration led by Arvind Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court, contesting the NGT's directive appointing the L-G as the head of a high-level committee concerning Yamuna River pollution. The then Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, granted a stay on the NGT’s directive. As a result, the Yamuna restoration efforts were suspended, leading to a deterioration in the COD/BOD levels, which had shown slight improvement month-on-month. Earlier this year, pollution levels hit unprecedented highs.
