The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the University of Virginia (UVA) on the “Yamuna River Project” to rehabilitate the pollution- choked Yamuna River.

This initiative of Delhi Jal Board is one of the most ambitious projects in the national Capital and is believed to be a huge step towards the transformation of Delhi’s natural water resources

An exhibition to showcase the three years of work done by the university with the Ministry of Water Resources and DJB was unveiled on Wednesday. The exhibition aims to be a catalyst for the urgent recovery of the Yamuna and its tributaries, building a publicly accessible body of information and expertise, and visions of what an alternative future would beIJ

According to the DJB officials, the focus in first phase will be Najafgarh drain basin, the largest of the three watersheds in Delhi with over 140 drains, followed by Barapulla and Shahdara. Presently, Najafgarh drain contributes to 60 per cent of Yamuna’s pollution.

Researchers from the university have already visited various spots on the Najafgarh drain stretch. The project includes cleaning of the drain. It will be followed by “space making,” which means creating space in the vicinity of a water body and including it in the urban planning mechanism so people don’t litter around them.

“The project is expected to bring about a paradigm shift by using sustainable bio-remediation technologies to clean water and robust long-term management strategies to create city-level assets for all. DJB has undertaken the project with the department of Irrigation and flood control (I&FC) as an important delivery partner,” said a senior official of DJB.

“Meanwhile, the water utility is also undertaking a comprehensive strategy for rejuvenating over 200 drains and water bodies of the city, along with the department of Irrigation and Flood Control.  “Delhi Jal Board has initiated one of the most ambitious projects to be carried out in the water sector in the country, proposing a paradigm shift in approach by using sustainable bioremediation technologies to clean water and robust long-term management strategies to create city-level assets for all,” said a statement issued by DJB.

On this occasion lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, Teresa A. Sullivan, president of university of Virginia, Keshav Chandra, CEO of DJB were also present with some other stakeholders.