Yamuna Cleanup Initiative Launched Following BJP's Delhi Election Victory

New Delhi: Nearly a week after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in the Delhi elections, efforts to clean the heavily polluted Yamuna River commenced on Sunday, guided by a comprehensive four-pronged strategy aimed at restoring the river within three years.

The issue of Yamuna’s pollution was a focal point of contention during the election campaign, with the BJP accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of failing to fulfill its commitment to rejuvenate the river. Addressing the urgency of the situation, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena convened a high-level meeting on Saturday with the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation and Flood Control), directing them to initiate cleanup operations without delay.

#WATCH | Delhi Lt Governor Office says, "Works on cleaning river Yamuna have already begun with trash skimmers, weed harvesters and a dredge utility craft already starting cleaning operations in the river today. Delhi LG VK Saxena yesterday met the Chief Secretary and ACS (I&FC)… pic.twitter.com/aNY5FiuInr

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025

The multi-faceted cleanup strategy involves the removal of accumulated silt and waste from the river, alongside synchronized efforts to cleanse major tributaries, including the Najafgarh and Supplementary drains. In addition, the initiative prioritizes rigorous daily monitoring of the operational capacity and efficiency of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs), while expediting the construction of new centralized and decentralized STPs to address the deficit in treating approximately 400 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage.

“The successful execution of this ambitious three-year plan requires seamless coordination between multiple agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA),” an official from the Lieutenant Governor’s office stated.

Furthermore, the Lieutenant Governor has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to intensify its oversight on industrial units, ensuring stringent measures are in place to prevent the discharge of untreated effluents into the city's drainage system.

This initiative marks a critical step toward addressing the long-standing environmental concerns surrounding the Yamuna, underscoring the administration’s commitment to delivering tangible results in river restoration.