Govt ropes in industry, corporates to tackle Yamuna pollution

In a bid to address three of the capital’s biggest environmental challenges — Yamuna river pollution, towering waste heaps and air pollution — the Delhi Government on Monday announced a fresh initiative that seeks active participation from the corporate sector through CSR partnerships.

A dialogue titled “Revival of Yamuna and Delhi” was held at the Raj Niwas, chaired by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Water Minister Pravesh Verma. Senior officials, industry association leaders and corporate representatives attended, with the Delhi Jal Board presenting a roadmap for collaboration.

Calling cleaning the Yamuna her government’s “firm commitment,” the Chief Minister said, “Our government is determined to restore the river to its pristine form. Industries must come forward with technology for sewage treatment and contribute under the CSR to ensure a permanent end to Yamuna pollution.”

She suggested the creation of a ‘corpus fund’ by industries for targeted projects identified by the Jal Board.

Lieutenant Governor Saxena said Delhi’s inherited problems — Yamuna pollution, waste mountains, and poor air quality — had brought international disrepute to the national capital, but stressed that visible improvements were already underway.

“These efforts will only succeed if all sections of society, particularly the corporate sector, play their role through the CSR,” he said.

The CM also urged companies to adopt drains, set up small sewage treatment plants and expand tree plantation drives under CSR.

Highlighting successful greening efforts at Baansera, Asita and Vatika along the Yamuna floodplains, she said, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

Water Minister Pravesh Verma assured that Yamuna cleaning would be achieved within the stipulated timeframe, adding, “For the first time in decades, Yamuna cleaning will not become a political issue in the forthcoming elections.”

The meeting concluded with an agreement to draft a concrete action plan with time-bound goals, following which another high-level review would be convened to check the progress.