Gurugram Fights Yamuna Pollution with Cameras and Sensors

Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has initiated a ₹5.88-crore plan to install advanced monitoring equipment across the city's primary storm-water drains. This project, targeting completion by January next year, will deploy flow meters, surveillance cameras, and online water quality analysers. These tools are designed to detect untreated sewage and chemical-laden industrial effluents before they reach the Yamuna River.

The comprehensive system will include radar level sensors, PTZ surveillance cameras with cloud backup, and water quality analysers measuring key pollutants like BOD, COD, TSS, and pH. Data collected will be integrated into GMDA's command system and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board's portal. This technological upgrade is in response to National Green Tribunal directives following reports of substantial untreated waste entering the Yamuna from the district.

Officials anticipate that the real-time data will enable precise mapping of wastewater volumes and identification of specific catchment areas or industrial zones responsible for pollution. This will facilitate coordinated efforts with other authorities to take corrective actions, including plugging illicit sewer connections and ensuring wastewater treatment plants function correctly. The equipment will also aid in early detection of drain blockages, allowing for prompt deployment of mobile pumps to prevent flooding.