Shah inaugurates Rs 1,816-cr Yamuna rejuvenation projects

Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday came down heavily on Arvind Kejriwal-led previous government for failing to fulfil its promise of cleaning the Yamuna, saying that the long-pending pledge to rejuvenate the river is now firmly on track.

Speaking at the inauguration of Delhi Jal Board projects worth Rs 1,816 crore aimed at cleaning the Yamuna, Shah said the Centre and the Delhi Government were working on a comprehensive plan to purify the river from the Capital to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, where it meets the Ganga.

“Many had claimed earlier that they would take a dip in the Yamuna to prove that it’s clean. They never did. Instead, when Parvesh Verma dipped Kejriwal’s cut-out into the Yamuna, even that ‘fell sick’ and was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital,” said Shah. He added, “They didn’t take the dip, but the people of Delhi drowned them politically.”

The Home Minister said around 80 per cent of the newly inaugurated works were linked to Yamuna’s rejuvenation. “When the people of Delhi voted for change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made purification of “Maa” Yamuna one of his top priorities. By the grace of Maa Yamuna, all states along her course from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, now have lotus governments. The path to Yamuna’s rejuvenation is now fully open,” he said.

He reiterated that the Centre aims to complete the cleaning of the Yamuna by 2029, with visible results expected within the next seven months. He added that by ensuring transparency and efficient fund utilisation, the government would deliver what earlier administrations failed to do.

Shah also took a dig at the previous government over waste management, noting that garbage mountains in Delhi had once reached 65 meters. “By January 1, 2028, Delhi will be free of these garbage hills and gardens will come up in their place,” he announced.

Highlighting the Modi government’s recent economic reforms, Shah said GST on 395 essential items had been reduced to zero or 5 per cent before Navratri and income up to Rs 12 lakh was now tax-free, saving citizens Rs 2.5 lakh crore collectively. “This year, people of Delhi have a double Diwali, one during the festival and another when GST rates were slashed on Day 1 of Navratri,” he said.

The Home Minister also accused the previous government of blocking central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, which provides free healthcare up to Rs 5 lakh, and alleged irregularities in several sectors including mohalla clinics, CNG and the Delhi Jal Board.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who shared the dais with Shah, said the Centre and Delhi Government were working together in an “unprecedented manner” to restore the Yamuna. She said 19 water and drainage projects were being launched, including eight sewage treatment plants (STPs), underground drinking water reservoirs and new sewer lines.

“Eight STPs are being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore, underground reservoirs at Rs 99 crore and sewer line and house connection projects worth Rs 300 crore. These will prevent polluted water from entering the Yamuna,” said Gupta.

She added that the previous governments had made only announcements, while the current administration under PM Modi has prepared a systematic action plan, including tapping of 22 major, and 200 minor drains through surveys and drone mapping.

Water projects launched

Palla Underground reservoir/booster station (37.10 ML) Rs 45.95 crore

Siraspur Underground reservoir/booster station (12.40 ML) Rs 32.65 crore

Bijwasan Underground reservoir/booster station (9.1 ML) Rs 20.50 crore

Sewage treatment works

Keshopur (Phase-II & III) Rs 504.12 cr

Kondli (Phase-IV) Rs 288.38 cr

Rohini (Expansion) Rs 147.06 cr

Coronation pillar (Phase-I & II) Rs 138.38 cr

Coronation pillar (Phase-III) Rs  91.79 cr

Narela (Expansion) Rs 104.15 cr

Yamuna Vihar (Expansion) Rs  78.90 cr

Najafgarh (5 MGD STP) Rs  63.71 cr

KEY foundation Stones laid

Sewer lines in Karawal Nagar Rs  69.97 cr

Sewer lines in Hasnpur Rs  51.43 cr

Sewer lines in Tajpur Khurd Rs  41.32 cr

Additional pipelines in Yamuna Vihar Rs 29.63 cr

House connections Ranhola Rs 52.93 cr

House connections Gokulpuri Rs 21.86 cr

House connections Vikas Puri Rs 21.17 cr

House connections Kamruddin Nagar Rs 12.79 cr