The Delhi government is taking a big step towards cleaning of River Yamuna, the lifeline of the national capital, with a grand plan to speed up the clearance of pollutants from the river from Thursday and launching various projects worth Rs 1,816 crore to modernise the city’s sewer network.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday, will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects, including plans related to clean water supply as well as several special projects to make the Yamuna clean.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has clearly stated that making the Yamuna pure is the government’s priority and the Central government is fully supporting the state for this initiative.
According to the CM, these new projects are focused on addressing the issues that have affected the national capital’s sewer network, which is one of the main reasons behind Yamuna’s pollution.
The laying of new sewer lines and construction of new Sewerage Treatment Plants are at the centre of these upcoming projects, while the plan also includes restoration of older lines and their repair, to ensure there is no problem caused due to them.
To improve the water supply in the city, especially in the remote areas, booster pumping stations have also been planned for the city as part of the projects.
The CM has shared that with these initiatives the Yamuna’s revival and cleaning will get a major boost.
Gupta asserted that the rejuvenation and cleaning of the Yamuna is among the top priorities of her government, as it is not just a river, but a lifeline of Indian culture and civilization, whose purity is a symbol of both faith and environmental commitment. She said the Yamuna cleaning campaign was specially included in the election manifesto, and the time to fulfil this promise.
The government is implementing the plans in a phased manner not only to contain the pollution but also bring about a historical improvement in water quality of the river.
The CM stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the vision of ‘Clean Rivers, Prosperous India’ is being implemented across the country, and her government is taking concrete steps in this direction.
She appealed to the people to ensure their participation in the cleanliness of the Yamuna and added that it is only through the collective efforts of the government, the people, and the society, will this holy stream regain its historical dignity and purity.
She expressed the confidence that in the coming years, the Yamuna will not only be pollution-free but will also give the gift of clean water and a green environment to every citizen of Delhi.
Notably, to prevent dirty water from entering the river, the government is also planning to construct STPs on the 22 big drains of the city, and once completed they will not let the polluted water enter directly into the river.