CPCB report: Yamuna stretch in Delhi continues to be among most polluted

The CPCB has reviewed water quality data from 2022 and 2023, covering 2,116 locations across 32 states and Union Territories. Its last assessment was released in 2022 with data from 2019 and 2021, barring the pandemic year.

What do the reports indicate?

Over the years, as per the CPCB’s assessment reports, there has been a drop in the number of polluted river stretches — from 351 in 2018 to 311 in 2022 to 296 this year. The number of river stretches that have shifted from a higher priority class (most polluted) to lower priority class (lesser polluted) which would need the least intervention, have also increased. But, there has been no shift in Delhi’s position.

The CPCB, in the report also said, “Water quality of river in Delhi was monitored at 7 locations during the year 2022 and 2023, water quality is not meeting the criteria at any of the location.” Other states where river stretches were classified as Priority 1 include Amlakhadi river in Gujarat and Sabarmati in Gujarat as well as the Chambal river stretch from Nagda to Gandhisagar dam in Madhya Pradesh.

With the maximum BOD value observed between 2022 and 2023 being 83 mg/l, as per the report, the Yamuna river stretch in Delhi showed at least 27 times higher BOD levels than permitted.

Palla, Wazirabad, ISBT Bridge, ITO Bridge, Nizamuddin, Okhla after meeting Shahdara drain and Asgarpur village were the monitoring locations in Delhi.