Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a significant meeting on May 22, 2025, focused on the restoration of the Yamuna River, provision of safe drinking water, and the overhaul of Delhi’s sewage and drainage systems. The gathering, which took place in New Delhi, saw participation from key figures including Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and C.R. Patil, as well as Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior government officials. Highlighting the importance of the Yamuna, Shah stated, "This river is not just a body of water; it represents faith, and its cleanliness must be a top priority for the BJP government."
During the meeting, Shah emphasized the need for a comprehensive and long-term strategy to tackle the environmental crisis affecting the Yamuna. He directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to ensure uniformity in quality, maintenance, and discharge processes, suggesting that these standards should be communicated to all states for implementation.
Looking ahead, Shah called for a planning framework that spans a 20-year horizon for all initiatives related to the Yamuna, drinking water, and drainage systems. He stressed the immediate necessity for the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to fill vacant positions and bolster its institutional capacity. With an urgent focus on revamping water distribution efficiency, Shah pointed out the critical need to minimize pipeline leakages and deploy advanced technology for desilting drains. He remarked, “Effective water management is essential for ensuring a reliable drinking water supply across the city.”
The Yamuna, particularly its Delhi stretch, is among the most polluted in India. Despite numerous court mandates, earlier administrations have struggled to address this environmental degradation. Cleaning the Yamuna was a prominent pledge made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, which the BJP won after 27 years. Modi’s victory speech on February 8 began with “Yamuna Maiya ki Jai,” highlighting the river’s symbolic significance.
Recent findings by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee revealed that the Yamuna fails to meet even basic bathing water standards at many points in the city. Alarmingly high levels of faecal coliform bacteria were detected, far exceeding safe limits. While the Central Pollution Control Board recommends a safe bathing threshold of 500 MPN/100 ml, levels at Asgarpur-where the Yamuna exits Delhi-were measured at a staggering 2,300,000 MPN/100 ml, marking a dramatic 4,600-fold increase above acceptable levels. Conversely, the pollution level at Palla, the river’s entry point from Haryana, was found to be 1,700 MPN/100 ml, slightly above the ideal yet within permissible limits.
With the government’s renewed commitment and planned strategies, there is hope for tangible improvements to the Yamuna’s condition and the overall water management system in Delhi, paving the way for a healthier environment for future generations.
Keywords: Amit Shah, Yamuna River, drinking water, Delhi sewage system, Delhi Jal Board, water management, pollution levels, Central Pollution Control Board.
Categories: Delhi
Tags: Yamuna, sewage treatment, water quality, environmental policy.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/take-holistic-approach-to-clean-yamuna-amit-shah/article69607679.ece
Category : Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-05-23 03:00:00
