Shah unveils projects worth Rs 1,816 cr for Yamuna rejuvenation, says path to clean river paved

Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that proper planning is underway to rejuvenate the Yamuna up to the point where it meets the Ganga in Prayagraj.

Shah unveiled development projects in Delhi worth Rs 1,816 crore, out of which 80 per cent are aimed at rejuvenating and cleaning the river.

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He stated that when the people of Delhi chose for a change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that purifying the Yamuna was the top priority of his government.

According to Shah, the PM promised to complete the task of cleaning the Yamuna by 2029, adding that by merely reducing corruption and spending less on advertisements, the purification of the Yamuna can be achieved.

He said that the path to realizing the dream of a clean Yamuna has been paved, adding that under PM Modi’s leadership, a plan to clean the Yamuna up to Prayagraj within the next seven months has been prepared.

Shah said that the previous government had promised to clean the Yamuna and take a dip in it, but they didn’t take the dip, and the people of Delhi made them sink instead.

Notably, the minister has unveiled a total of 19 projects, including new modernized sewer networks, new pipelines, and sewerage treatment plants, covering those areas where sewerage disposal was a major issue, mainly the unauthorized colonies, rural areas and other such places.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking on the occasion, said that the Centre and Delhi Government are working together in an unprecedented manner for the cleanliness and revival of the Yamuna.

She informed that HM inaugurated and laid the foundation for several significant water and sewerage projects costing Rs1,816 crore, which represent a historic step towards the revival of the river and strengthening Delhi’s water infrastructure.

The CM shared that with the centre’s backing, 19 water and sewerage projects are being initiated in Delhi, including eight modern sewage treatment plants (STPs), underground drinking water reservoirs, and sewer line installations.

She explained that eight STPs are being constructed for Rs 1,400 crore, underground reservoirs at Rs 99 crore, and sewer lines and house connections at Rs 300 crore.

These projects will prevent the flow of polluted water into the Yamuna and provide Delhi residents with clean drinking water and improved sewerage facilities. Gupta added.

Under PM Modi’s leadership, the central government has prepared a systematic action plan for cleaning the Yamuna, which includes constructing STPs on 22 major and 200 minor drains, she added.

Gupta said that the sources of pollution are being identified and addressed through tapping, silt surveys, and drone surveys of these drains.