Delhi's Efforts to Clean the Yamuna River Gain Momentum Amid New Directives

In a major move to tackle the persistent pollution of the Yamuna River, cleaning operations have officially begun in Delhi, following directives from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G), VK Saxena, and a high-level meeting with the Chief Secretary. The initiative is being executed through a four-pronged strategy that includes the removal of trash, garbage, and silt from the river, as well as the cleanup of major drains like the Najafgarh Drain and Supplementary Drain.

Key Highlights of the Plan:

1. Coordination Among Agencies: The cleaning effort involves seamless coordination between multiple departments, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
2. Daily Monitoring of STPs: There will be daily monitoring of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to ensure their operational capacity, while plans are in place to construct new plants to address a 400 MGD shortfall in sewage treatment.
3. Time-bound Execution: A timeline of three years has been set for the river's restoration, with a focus on eliminating industrial discharge into drains, a major source of pollution. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will oversee this.
4. Previous Challenges: The project faced legal setbacks in 2023 when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government challenged an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that placed L-G Saxena in charge of the restoration committee. The Supreme Court stayed the order, halting the efforts until recently.

Political Context:

The restoration project is a significant move for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which made the cleaning of the Yamuna a major electoral promise. In February 2025, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra reaffirmed that the BJP would complete the task within the specified timeline.

This latest push follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pre-election pledge to "make Yamuna ji the identity of Delhi." With both the government and opposition previously pointing fingers over the river's pollution, the new plan marks a concerted effort to resolve long-standing environmental challenges in the capital.

As the cleanup unfolds, Delhi residents and environmentalists alike will be closely monitoring whether the promises made by the government are realized within the proposed timeframe.