While the Delhi Government is doing its bit to clean the Yamuna, a senior DJB official said there is a need for collaborative effort by all agencies, including Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Department of Irrigation and Flood Control and Public Works Department (PWD). According to the official, about 48 MGD industrial wastes, 240 MGD sewerage waste and solid waste is being dumped into the river every day.
last week, the City Government had announced comprehensive clean Yamuna action Plan-3 Schemes. It includes complete blueprint to clean the Yamuna, dirty drains and riverfront development in next three years.
For the first time, the Government has introduced a new technology called “Trash Skimmer” which will be used for collecting floating garbage in the river. RS Tyagi, member (water) DJB, said, “This Trash Skimmer earlier has been used in Dal lake to collect the floating material from the river. Now, Delhi Government has implemented it for the cleaning of the Yamuna.”
He said that the Government is also trying to develop a unified body including all authorities responsible for the cleaning of the Yamuna. “Not only the Government, people should also participate. They should not make flood plain area a dumping ground,” he said.
The Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India and Government of NCT of Delhi have taken joint initiatives under ‘Namami Gange’ to clean the Yamuna under Yamuna Action Plan-III. The projects inaugurated includes rehabilitation and upgradation of Rithala Phase-1 Sewage Treatment Plant with Tertiary Treatment Plant, rehabilitation of Ashok Nagar and Jahangirpuri sewers, rehabilitation of Trunk Sewer No 4, Narwana Road, Anand Vihar, Hargobind Enclave and Vikas Marg sewers, rehabilitation of Trunk Sewer No 5 and Jhilmil Sewer, rejuvenation of Chhat Ghat and river Surface Cleaning by Trash Skimmer.
It may be noted that with a total capacity of 604 MGD, the DJB has 36 sewage treatment plants in Delhi.