Yamuna Pollution : Who is Responsible

According to a study conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the stretch of river Yamuna between Wazirabad and Okhla in Delhi is among the most polluted stretches of major rivers across the country. It has been reported that the volume of wastewater generated from Delhi accounts for about 79 per cent of the total wastewater generated from major towns located along the banks of river Yamuna. Due to large scale extraction of water from the river upstream of Wazirabad barrage at Delhi for various uses, the flow of river in Delhi stretch mainly comprises of the wastewater flow from the surrounding areas during the non-monsoon period. The groundwater quality monitored by CPCB at the selected locations of Delhi area indicates that at Prahladpur, the concentration of toxic metals exceeds the drinking water quality standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) during the pre-monsoon period. However, the groundwater quality improves in the post monsoon period due to recharge. Government of India has launched Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) for the abatement of pollution in river Yamuna with the assistance of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation in a phased manner. YAP, Phase-I was launched in April, 1993, and declared closed in February, 2003. The second phase of YAP was commenced in December, 2004. The total approved cost of both the phases of Yamuna Action Plan is Rs.1339 crores and expenditure incurred so far under both the phases is 719.76 crores. In addition to the YAP, the Government of NCT of Delhi has also taken up large scale pollution abatement works for river Yamuna from its own resources. A total of 269 schemes have been implemented in 21 towns of the three States of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and 753.25 million litres per day of sewage treatment capacity has been created so far under both the phases of YAP. The works completed under YAP include interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric/improved wood crematoria and River Front Development. This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests Shri Namo Narain Meena, in a written reply to a question by Shri Ekanath K. Thakur in the Rajya Sabha today.

Vidyanand Acharya