Yamuna's Deadly Descent: Haryana Drains Turn River Toxic

The Yamuna River experiences a significant increase in pollution as it traverses Haryana, with contamination levels escalating roughly ninefold between Kalanaur and Palwal. Data collected between January 2021 and June 2026 from 14 monitoring points highlights critical pollution hotspots along the river and its feeder drains. In Karnal, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) reached nearly 37 times the prescribed limit, accompanied by high levels of faecal coliform, indicating sewage contamination.

Several drains emerged as major sources of pollution. For instance, a drain near Karnal showed BOD levels of 104 mg/l, mirroring the pollution downstream in the river. Panipat's drain no. 2 and Faridabad's Alipur drain also recorded alarmingly high BOD and faecal coliform counts, while dissolved oxygen levels dropped significantly. The situation worsens downstream in Palwal, where BOD levels continue to rise after the river receives discharge from the Gaunchi drain.

Environmentalists cite a confluence of factors including untreated domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and insufficient river flow from the Hathnikund barrage as primary culprits. They advocate for enhanced sewage networks, advanced treatment facilities, stringent industrial monitoring, and consistent environmental flow. The Haryana government is reportedly accelerating projects under the Yamuna Action Plan, focusing on source reduction of pollution and time-bound execution of new treatment plants.