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Delhi's River Data Gap Raises Alarms
23 Dec
Summary
- Water quality data for Yamuna and STPs is over three months old.
- Pollution levels, especially BOD, were alarming in the last reports.
- Data absence hinders tracking river health during vulnerable winter months.
Data regarding the water quality of the Yamuna River and Delhi's sewage treatment facilities has not been updated for more than three months. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which is mandated to upload monthly reports, last shared data in September, with the most recent report for the Yamuna and drains dating back to October.
The absence of current data is particularly worrying because the lean winter season, characterized by reduced water flow and lower temperatures, typically leads to a significant deterioration in river water quality. Previous reports from October indicated extreme pollution, with BOD levels exceeding safe limits by over eight times and fecal coliform counts reaching alarming figures.
Experts and activists emphasize that transparency is crucial, especially during winter when the river is most vulnerable. The data gap makes it difficult to track pollution levels, assess improvements or deteriorations compared to previous years, and ensure accountability in river management. This lack of updated information sets a poor example for effective river governance.
