Delhi Lieutenant-Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Monday inspected the cleaning operations of Yamuna at Qudsia Ghat near Kashmere Gate, ISBT and lauded the officials for a massive turnaround of the Ghat, in terms of garbage removal and water quality, in just over two weeks, after the cleaning operations was launched February 16, this year.
“Apart from putting in place an innovative “Drain BOD Reducing” technique, the water has been completely cleaned of all garbage, hyacinth and plastic waste using floating booms and a mechanized Conveyor Machine installed along the river bank.
As a result, the stink, which was earlier unbearable for even 10-minutes, has reduced significantly. BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) is the amount of dissolved oxygen that microorganisms like bacteria need to oxidize and hence is significant for water quality,” the Raj Niwas said in a statement.
An artificial wetland system comprising Root Treatment Plants namely Canna Indica and Vetirvar Grasshas been created to clean the sewage water coming in from Qudsia Drain and riverine grasses have been planted to stabilize the banks of the drain. A monitoring Hut made of Bamboo has been set up at the Ghat.
The statement further reads that in order to treat the drains falling into Yamuna, an innovative “Drain BOD Reducing” technique has been adopted under which various contraptions in the form of lime and alum box and improvised stone weir have been installed in Qudsia drain.
“Further, floating debris catcher net, floating boom and mechanical aerator system (fountain) have been put in place. The trial of the “Drain BOD Reducing” technique is not only being done for the first time on Qudsia Drain but also in the Yamuna. Gradually, it will be replicated at other locations,” it said.
The Territorial Army provided by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), is ensuring that the cleaned stretches of the flood plains are not polluted or encroached upon again.
A large number of students from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical for Women (IGDTUW) and B.R. Ambedkar University, who were earlier called by the LG to witness the pathetic condition of Yamuna, were amazed to see the transformation of the river in such a short span of time.
