Yamuna clean-up: Clearing drains to razing encroachments in Govt’s plan

Sources said that a detailed presentation on the initiative was shared during the meeting, which was also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil,  Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior PMO officials.

Following the meeting, sources said, the 30-point roadmap was circulated among key agencies — Delhi Development Authority (DDA), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — and the Delhi government. Each of them has been assigned specific responsibilities, with timelines ranging from June 2025 to March 2029.

Two key action points in the exercise focus on increasing the environmental flow (E-flow) of the Yamuna within Delhi and further downstream. E-flow refers to the quantity, timing and quality of water flow needed to maintain the health and function of aquatic ecosystems.

The plan proposes discharging 773 million litres per day (8.95 cumecs) of treated water from the Coronation Pillar and Yamuna Vihar sewage treatment plants into the river downstream of Wazirabad by September 2026 — a dedicated conveyance system will be developed.

Additionally, an extra 6.23 cumecs of treated water from the Okhla STP (capacity: 563 MLD) will be released downstream of the Okhla barrage via the Yamuna canal, partially improving the river’s flow.

The Special Task Force has also been tasked with removing floodplain encroachments within a year, targeting a completion date of September 2026.

Further, the plan includes creating around 500 MLD of additional sewage treatment capacity by March 2029 and connecting 1,799 unauthorised colonies to the sewage network. New STPs are proposed at Delhi Gate, Shastri Park and Kailash Nagar. Several major drains — Barapullah, Maharani Bagh, Mori Gate, Sonia Vihar, Delhi Gate, Kailash Nagar, Shastri Park — will also be tapped and treated before discharge.

Describing the Yamuna as a “polluted drain filled with filth and garbage”, the BJP had pledged to clean the river in its manifesto for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Criticising the previous Delhi government of Aam Aadmi Party, the BJP had claimed that despite spending Rs 8,500 crore, AAP had failed to clean the Yamuna.

Promising to collaborate with the Centre, the BJP had also announced plans to develop the Yamuna Riverfront on the lines of Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront. The proposal includes establishing 24×7 commercial spaces, theatres, interactive shows and other entertainment venues along the banks.

As part of its broader vision, the BJP had promised to set up a dedicated “Yamuna Kosh” (Yamuna Fund) to revitalise the river. The fund would support initiatives such as ensuring complete treatment of wastewater from key drains like Barapullah, Shahdara and Ghazipur before it enters the Yamuna.

The plan also includes septage and dairy waste management. For this, connecting non-sewerage areas with sewer and biogas plants for managing dairy waste will be set up.

As part of flood plains protection measures, the plan envisages completion of 10 restoration projects, including Mayur Nature Park, Hindon Sarovar and an eco-tourism area. According to sources, the focus over the next three months will be on removing plastic and trash from the drains.

Main points of the 30-point action plan for cleaning the Yamuna

1. E-flow in the Yamuna

2. Drain management

3. Solid waste management

4. Sewage management

5. Governance and enforcement

6. Gap identification/monitoring and surveillance system

7. Flood plain protection/river-front development activities

8. Public outreach

9. Septage and dairy waste management

Agencies involved: Delhi Development Authority (DDA), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Government, Delhi Jal Board, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Timelines: from June 2025 to March 2029, depending on the action point.