After years of pollution and failed efforts, the cleaning of the Yamuna River has officially begun in Delhi. The much-anticipated project, which aims to restore the river&rsquo;s water quality, commenced on Sunday with the deployment of modern cleaning machines such as trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredging utility crafts.
The decision to initiate the cleaning process was made following directions from Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena, who met with the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation and Flood Control) on Saturday to ensure that work began immediately. The Lt Governor&rsquo;s office released footage showing the cleanup efforts, which focus on removing waste, weeds, and debris from the river&rsquo;s surface.
The cleaning operation follows a four-pronged strategy. First, waste, garbage, and silt accumulated in the river will be removed. Concurrently, cleaning of major drains such as the Najafgarh Drain and supplementary drains will begin. The third element of the strategy involves daily monitoring of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to ensure they meet their full capacity. Finally, a time-bound plan for constructing new STPs and Decentralized STPs (DSTPs) will address a deficit of around 400 million gallons per day (MGD) of untreated sewage that currently flows into the river.
A successful execution of this plan will require coordination across several government agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation and Flood Control, Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD), Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The progress of the initiative will be monitored on a weekly basis at a high level.
In addition to cleaning the river itself, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has been instructed to ensure that industrial units in the city do not discharge untreated water into the drains, a key measure in controlling the pollution levels.
The restoration of the Yamuna began in January 2023, when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a high-level committee under the chairmanship of L-G Saxena to address the pollution in the river. Despite the committee&rsquo;s recommendations, the previous AAP-led government challenged the NGT&rsquo;s order appointing the L-G as head of the committee in the Supreme Court. This led to a temporary halt in the cleanup efforts, which worsened the river&rsquo;s pollution levels.
The BJP, now in power in Delhi, had made the cleanup of the Yamuna a key issue during the recent Assembly elections. The party had criticized the AAP government for failing to make progress despite receiving ₹8,500 crore from the Centre for the project. In response to the electoral promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP government has taken immediate action to begin cleaning the river, even before the formation of the new government.
On Sunday, the Raj Niwas Secretariat confirmed the start of the cleaning operation in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, &ldquo;As promised by the Prime Minister @narendramodi in the run-up to the just concluded Assembly elections, works on cleaning the Yamuna have already begun in the right earnest.&rdquo;
The cleanup effort is expected to take about three years, with regular monitoring and coordination required to ensure its success.
(With agency input)

Machines cleaning Yamuna River with floating debris

Effort focuses on removing waste, weeds, and debris from the river’s surface, Lt Governor's office shares footage

Yamuna Cleanup Drive Begins in Delhi

Effort focuses on removing waste, weeds, and debris from the river’s surface, Lt Governor's office shares footage

February 17, 2025 | 09:21 IST