Union Minister for Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Monday asked Delhi Government officials to explore the possibility of constructing navigational barrages on Delhi stretch of Yamuna to augment the flow of the river. The measure was suggested by the Central Water Commission in one of its previous reports which also entails augmenting the water capacity by recharging the at least four to five big lakes which are close and channelise their flow into the river. Gadkari was chairing a meeting for rejuvenation of Yamuna River and to make its stretch in Delhi navigable.
The key issues discussed in the meeting were making sufficient water flow available in the river throughout the year and the treatment of sewage and industrial waste in Delhi before discharging into the river for augmenting its water level. It was also discussed in the meeting to undertake development and beautification of the river banks in an ecologically sound and environment sensitive manner. The Delhi Government also has a plan for taking up a pilot project around the Signature Bridge, presently under construction, in the city to improve the water flow in the stretch by dredging and installing an ‘inflatable rubber weir’ to hold back enough water during the lean season to provide two-three meters of depth for navigation purposes throughout the year.
It was suggested in the meeting that the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) being constructed by Delhi administration may be implemented where ever feasible. Another proposal put forward for consideration was to provide the treated water from the STPs to the users on chargeable basis thus generating some revenue for the river rejuvenation project.