The High Level Committee (HLC) headed by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), issued detailed orders with specific tasks and timelines to ensure the cleaning/rejuvenation of river Yamuna and the sewage carrying drains falling into it.
All the crucial parameters on river health [like BOD < 3 mg/I, DO > 5 mg/I, minimum environmental flow — 23 Cumecs (437 MGD), etc.] were accepted by the HLC, and to achieve these parameters, the HLC finalized the Action Plan, including but not limiting to treatment of all sewage generated in Delhi, trapping of all major drains out falling into river Yamuna, extending sewerage network in all unauthorized colonies and JJ Clusters, regulation of Yamuna Flood Plain including removal of all encroachments / Dhobi Ghats, enforcement of Delhi Water Board Septage Management Regulations 2018, utilization of treated STP water and upgradation of 13 Common Effluent Treatment Plants treating industrial effluents, etc.
It was also decided by HLC to constitute a Committee under the Chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Revenue Department, GNCTD and consisting of CEO, DJB: Commissioner MCD as members; and Secretary. Urban Development Department, GNCTD as member-cum-convenor of this Committee, to revisit the Delhi Water Board Septage Management Regulations 2018 to make them more effective & enforceable. The Committee will submit its report latest by February 15, 2023 to the Convenor of this HLC.
“Completion of construction of 40 New Decentralised STPs with total capacity of 92 MGD. 29 Decentralized STPs with total capacity of 57.57 MGD will be constructed by December, 2023. The remaining 11 Decentralized STPs having total capacity of 32.43 MGD, for which land is yet to be allotted by DDA, required land will be made available at the earliest and thereafter construction will be completed within 12 months,” it said.
It has been noted with concern that no desilting of existing drains network has been carried out in the recent past. As a result most of the drains are either completely choked or functioning with 10-15% of their designed flow. Hence a major desilting drive must be undertaken. Out of an approximate 200 km of trunk/peripheral sewerage held with DJB. 90.34 Km of desilting will be completed by June, 2023. In addition, fresh contract will be done for remaining 110 km at the earliest. The entire desilting will be completed by September 2023.
Out of 18 major drains out falling into river Yamuna in Delhi stretch, trapping of 11 drains which include Magazine Road, Sweeper Colony, Khyber Pass, Metcalf House, Tonga Stand, Moat (Vijay Ghat),Civil Military, drain 14, Tughlagabad, Kalkaji and Tehkhand has been completed.
DJB shall construct 10 MGD STP to trap the remaining flow in the Delhi Gate Drain within 12 months and matter of allotment of land shall be resolved by all concerned by January 31.Sen Nursing Home Drain has been trapped into Sen Nursing Home STP as well as into the Ring Road trunk sewer. However, some marginal flow/ overflow still passes during peak hours. DJB to take measures to stop this marginal flow by desilting the drain and proper operation of Ring Road trapping by March 2023.
74 un-trapped sub-drains [44 in Najafgarh Drain and 30 in Supplementary Drain (which is sub drain of Najafgarh drain)] to be intercepted by October 2023 while two un-trapped sub-drains of Shahdara Drain to be intercepted by June. 2023. Full trapping and treatment of 242 MGD wastewater of the Interceptor Sewer Project (ISP) to be completed by DJB by June. 2023. “Work of sewer network is in Progress in 573 unauthorised colonies to be completed by Dec, 2023. Out of 161 unauthorized colonies. 123 awaiting NOC/Clearance from Forest, ASI and 0 Zone will be completed within 12 months of obtaining clearances but not later than June. 2024,” it said.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) offered to develop a bio-diversity park in the Yamuna floodplain in case Delhi Development Authority (DDA) allots a land of appropriate area to it.