Despite Rs 6,000 crore expenditure on cleanup, Delhi’s Yamuna remains as polluted as ever

The Delhi government spent over Rs 6,000 crore between 2017 and 2022 on various initiatives to clean the Yamuna, yet the results have been far from satisfactory, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

In their report titled, “Yamuna: A River Cleanup Agenda,” CSE asserted that rejuvenating the Yamuna River is possible, but only through a renewed strategy and a more effective approach.

It highlighted that the issue lies not in funding, but in inadequate planning, weak implementation, and insufficient public engagement.

The assessment found that nearly 84 percent of the Yamuna’s pollution in Delhi originates from just two major drains — Najafgarh and Shahdara — which continue to discharge untreated wastewater into the river.

The much-publicised interceptor drain scheme, intended to address these sources, has failed to deliver the desired outcomes, according to CSE.

Delhi currently has 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with the capacity to treat over 80 percent of the city’s sewage. However, the river’s water quality remains poor.

CSE attributed part of the problem to sewage tankers that illegally dump waste into drains, further aggravating pollution levels.

The report recommends that the action plan for the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains be completely revised, with a focus on practical and enforceable solutions. It also emphasises the need for robust monitoring and accountability to ensure schemes are implemented effectively.

CSE has further urged the government to involve citizens in the cleanup process through widespread public awareness campaigns, arguing that community participation is vital for any lasting change in the Yamuna’s health.

The 22-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi, which is barely two per cent of the total length of the river basin, contributes over 80 per cent of the pollution load in the entire river.