Yamuna River Cleanup: Delhi Jal Board Approves Rs 917 Crore Plan To Increase Sewage Treatment Capacity By 51.5 Million Gallons Per Day

In a significant move to revitalise the Yamuna River, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has approved projects worth Rs 917.33 crore to augment and upgrade sewage treatment plants (STPs) across the capital.

The decision, taken during its 173rd board meeting, will expand Delhi’s sewage treatment capacity by 51.5 million gallons per day (MGD) through new infrastructure, modernisation, and long-term maintenance, reported PTI.

“These initiatives align with the latest standards prescribed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and National Green Tribunal (NGT), with the objective of significantly reducing untreated effluent flowing into the Yamuna,” the DJB said in a statement.

A flagship project involves raising the capacity of the Yamuna Vihar Phase-III STP from 25 MGD to 40 MGD and constructing a new 15 MGD unit at Phase-IV, together adding 30 MGD. This Rs 403 crore initiative includes 12 years of operations and maintenance.

The Keshopur STP Phase-I will also be upgraded from 12 MGD to 18 MGD under a Rs 133.33 crore scheme with 11 years of O&M, enhancing treatment coverage in west Delhi.

Another Rs 381 crore package covers improvements at five plants in south and south-west Delhi, including Vasant Kunj Phases I & II, Ghitorni, Mehrauli, and Okhla Phase-V, adding 15.5 MGD capacity with 12 years of O&M support.

The Centre and Delhi government had earlier finalised a 30-point action plan to rejuvenate the Yamuna, following a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The roadmap, involving agencies like DDA, DJB, NMCG, and CPCB, spans timelines from June 2025 to March 2029.

Key measures include boosting the river’s environmental flow through treated water releases from major STPs, removing floodplain encroachments, and adding 500 MLD sewage treatment capacity. Major drains will be tapped and treated before discharge.

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