Delhi: Parvesh Verma orders audit of STPs to boost Yamuna clean-up efforts

In a significant move aimed at reviving the Yamuna river, Water Minister Parvesh Verma has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to conduct a third-party audit of all 37 existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) across the Capital. The decision comes amid ongoing efforts by the Delhi Government to reduce the volume of untreated sewage flowing into the Yamuna.

The directive was issued during a recent review meeting held by the Water Minister with DJB officials, wherein the current state of sewage infrastructure and upgradation works was assessed. “We have directed the DJB to carry out a third-party audit of all the STPs to get more clarity on the installed treatment capacity and the actual treatment being carried out,” said Verma.

Currently, 18 out of Delhi’s 37 STPs are undergoing upgrade. Meanwhile, three new facilities — at Sonia Vihar, Delhi Gate and Okhla — are expected to enhance the city’s sewage treatment capacity by approximately 47 million gallons per day (MGD).

Despite existing infrastructure, officials acknowledged that a considerable volume of untreated sewage continues to pollute the Yamuna. “The Delhi Government is committed to reducing this pollution load through comprehensive interventions. The audit is one such step — once the reports are in, further directives will be issued to improve and expand the sewerage treatment network,” Verma said.

Highlighting the government’s financial commitment, Verma noted that the 2025-26 Budget earmarked Rs 500 crore for the repair and modernisation of STPs and another Rs 250 crore for replacing old and damaged sewer lines.

The majority of Delhi’s STPs — 30 out of 37 — are operated by private contractors under outsourcing arrangements. The Water Minister has instructed these operators to ensure that both capacity and quality standards are strictly maintained.

Earlier this month, Verma had announced the full-scale operation of Asia’s largest wastewater treatment plant at Okhla, which has a capacity of 564 million litres per day (MLD). Additionally, the DJB has launched the ‘Decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants’ (DSTP) initiative to bolster local treatment capacity across the city.