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Delhi's Sewage Overwhelms Sacred Yamuna River
15 Jul
Summary
- 22 drains contribute 76% more wastewater than estimated.
- Sewage treatment plants operate below capacity.
- Environmental flows are crucial for Yamuna's revival.
The Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River is heavily polluted, often compared to an open sewer due to unchecked encroachment and massive volumes of raw sewage. Recent assessments indicate that 22 main drains are discharging 76% more wastewater than previously estimated into the river. Delhi's sewage treatment plants are functioning below their capacity, and many properties are not connected to the sewer network.
The interceptor sewer project, costing ₹2,454 crore, has only managed to capture 60% of its projected sewage volume. Protecting the Yamuna necessitates more than engineering fixes. The river carries minimal water through Delhi outside the monsoon season, as most of its clean water is diverted upstream, leaving it susceptible to the toxic impact of discharged wastewater.
Revitalizing the Yamuna means treating it as a living river, not just a drainage channel. Urgent upgrades to Delhi's sewerage infrastructure are vital. Additionally, water-sharing agreements between Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh must be renegotiated to ensure sufficient environmental flows, which are essential for the river's survival.
