A three-year plan to clean the Yamuna kicks off with skimmers, dredgers, and industrial waste monitoring. BJP prioritizes river rejuvenation after historic Delhi poll win.
February 17, 2025: Yamuna Clean-Up Begins With A Multi-Agency Strategy
Delhi’s long-awaited Yamuna clean-up commenced on Sunday, just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election promise and BJP’s sweeping Delhi Assembly victory. The operation follows a high-level meeting between Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Chief Secretary, with a clear directive to rejuvenate the river.
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According to the L-G’s office, a four-pronged strategy has been designed to tackle the severe pollution levels in the Yamuna:
- Removing Trash & Silt: Immediate dredging and skimming operations in the Yamuna.
- Draining & Decontaminating Waterways: Simultaneous clean-up of Najafgarh Drain, Supplementary Drain, and other major drains.
- Strengthening Sewage Treatment: Monitoring STPs (sewage treatment plants) and constructing new plants to address a 400 MGD sewage shortfall.
- Strict Industrial Waste Monitoring: Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will monitor and penalize industries discharging untreated effluents into drains.
A three-year deadline has been set to restore the river, with weekly monitoring. Multiple agencies, including the DJB, MCD, PWD, and DDA, have been directed to work in coordination for the success of the initiative.
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Political Row Over Yamuna Clean-Up & BJP’s Election Strategy
The clean-up drive comes amid controversy surrounding BJP’s pre-election claims that the AAP-led Delhi government failed to prevent pollution. Before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal accused the Haryana government of mixing toxic chemicals into the Yamuna.
After BJP’s first Delhi Assembly win in 27 years, PM Modi reiterated his commitment to making Yamuna the “identity of Delhi.” Union Minister Harsh Malhotra also reaffirmed that the party is committed to executing the clean-up within the promised timeframe.
Previously, the AAP government had challenged the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) decision to appoint the L-G as the head of the Yamuna pollution committee, which led to a legal battle that stalled the project.
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Delhi Yamuna Clean-Up, BJP Delhi Elections, PM Modi Yamuna Promise, Delhi Pollution, Yamuna River Cleaning, AAP vs BJP, National Green Tribunal, STP Delhi, Environmental News