Home / Environment / Delhi's Yamuna Floodplain Faces Sewage Pipe Threat
Delhi's Yamuna Floodplain Faces Sewage Pipe Threat
2 Nov
Summary
- An 8.34 km sewer rising main is planned through Yamuna's floodplain.
- The project's estimated cost is ₹148.90 crore, with a 1.5-year completion.
- Environmentalists worry about ecological damage and floodwater capacity.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has approved a ₹148.90 crore project to lay an 8.34-kilometer sewer rising main across the Yamuna river's ecologically sensitive floodplain. This new pipeline will transport sewage from the Ring Road pumping station to the Okhla sewage treatment plant, addressing persistent overflows caused by outdated infrastructure built decades ago.
The project, expected to take 1.5 years to complete, aims to alleviate sewage-related issues in several Delhi localities, particularly during monsoon seasons. Officials state it will reduce the burden on existing, aged sewage ducts and minimize foul conditions. The pipeline is designed to carry sewage directly to the 124-million-gallon-a-day Okhla STP.
However, the proposed route through the Yamuna floodplain has ignited environmental concerns. Activists question how construction can proceed without harming the floodplain's crucial ecological roles, such as floodwater management and groundwater replenishment. The Delhi Development Authority's Master Plan 2041 emphasizes restricting permanent construction in these sensitive zones, highlighting the challenge of balancing infrastructure needs with environmental preservation.
