New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired a high-level review meeting on Yamuna rejuvenation here today and directed to increase the capacity of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for Yamuna to 1500 MGD by 2028.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Manohar Lal, CR Patil, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Home Secretary, Secretaries and senior officials.
Addressing the meeting, Shah said that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) should work in action mode to control water pollution. He said that the Delhi government should take continuous and effective steps to stop the increasing pollution from industrial units, a Home Ministry statement said.
Shah said that apart from Delhi, chemicals are also coming into the Yamuna River through waste from other states, so all these states should work together to clean the river.
The Home Minister emphasised on working on an action mode to improve the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the main drains of Najafgarh and Shahdara. He also stressed on conducting a drone survey of Delhi’s two main drains, Najafgarh and Shahdara drains. He said that apart from the efforts being made by the Delhi government to clean the rivers, there is a need to increase the budget of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
Shah laid special emphasis on cleaning the Yamuna as well as increasing the capacity of STPs. He directed to increase the STP capacity to 1500 MGD by 2028. He said that all three states, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, should make efforts for Yamuna’s rejuvenation and there should be regularity and transparency in testing of the water flowing out of their STPs.
Moreover, he also emphasized on third party quality testing of STP outflow.
There are many reservoirs in Delhi in which the Delhi government should make arrangements to collect rainwater. Developing these reservoirs will also promote tourism,” Shah said.
He said that the Delhi government should work in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to manage the waste produced by dairies and cow shelters and also stressed on managing the unauthorized dairies in the national capital.
Laying special emphasis on increasing the e-flow in Yamuna, Shah said that there is a need to talk to the Uttar Pradesh government on this issue and find a solution so that the flow of Yamuna can be improved at the time of its entry into Delhi. He said that the treated water of Okhla STP should be released downstream of Yamuna which will help in improving the quality of the river water.
The Minister said that a detailed survey should be conducted regarding water supply in Delhi, so that it can be ascertained how much water is required to be supplied for catering one and all living in Delhi. Uncontrolled water extraction through borewells is a big problem in Delhi, on which the Delhi Jal Board needs to work by making an action plan. He said that these borewells should be regularized in a phased manner.
