Central Government Urges Swift Action on Yamuna Rejuvenation Amid Delays
The central government has expressed serious concern over persistent delays in the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River, directing all involved agencies to expedite pending work and strictly adhere to established timelines. Officials revealed that the matter is being closely monitored at the level of the Union Home Minister, underscoring its high priority.
Review Meeting Highlights Implementation Bottlenecks
A recent review meeting of the executive committee on Yamuna rejuvenation, chaired by the Delhi Chief Secretary, identified "indecisiveness" and implementation bottlenecks within key departments as major reasons for the slowdown in cleanup efforts. According to a document accessed by sources, the chair expressed grave concern over delays stemming from land availability constraints, inter-agency coordination gaps, and enforcement issues.
The meeting directed departments to shift their focus to outcome-based delivery and ensure time-bound execution of all projects. This move aims to address the administrative hurdles that have hampered progress in restoring the river's health.
Key Interventions and Project Updates
Among the critical interventions discussed was the proposed environmental flow (e-flow) augmentation from Uttar Pradesh. Plans include laying two pipelines, each with a capacity of 250 cusecs, to enhance water flow into the Yamuna. WAPCOS Limited has been approached to prepare cost estimates, with directions issued for expeditious approvals to fast-track this initiative.
Progress on major dam projects, such as the Kishau dam, was also reviewed. Officials highlighted delays in signing a memorandum of understanding among beneficiary states and noted the absence of communication from the concerned ministry. The Delhi government has been instructed to examine the financial implications and seek necessary approvals to move forward.
Sewage Treatment and Pollution Control Efforts
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) informed the panel about steps taken to enhance sewage treatment capacity between 2022 and 2025, along with plans to upgrade nine sewage treatment plants to meet new standards set by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). However, tendering delays and the re-invitation of bids for several projects have pushed timelines, with authorities now aiming to complete the process by March-end.
To further increase treatment capacity from 870 million gallons per day (MGD) to 1,040 MGD, the government plans to set up 35 decentralised sewage treatment plants. Of these, 13 standalone projects are currently under progress, while the remaining 22 are being restructured for fresh bidding. Delays of up to three months have been reported due to bid withdrawals, complicating the schedule.
Funding and Land Constraints
The meeting reviewed projects funded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, which aims to add around 460 MGD of capacity. Ten projects have been identified, and detailed project reports (DPRs) for two have been submitted. However, issues such as land constraints at Delhi Gate and concerns over demolition timelines have delayed progress, highlighting the need for more efficient resource allocation.
On the pollution front, joint inspections by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the DPCC have identified over 900 industrial units, with action taken against 28 violators. The Chief Secretary directed stricter enforcement and accountability, warning against any lapses in compliance.
Water Quality Monitoring and Inter-State Coordination
Efforts to improve water quality monitoring have been intensified, with monthly monitoring now conducted at 47 locations. Additionally, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the DPCC have been tasked with strengthening surveillance mechanisms to ensure better oversight.
The committee also reviewed measures such as in-situ treatment of drains, expansion of sewer connections to over 90,000 households by 2026, and desilting of stormwater drains, scheduled for completion by May this year. A significant portion of pollution and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) entering Delhi originates from Haryana, prompting the formation of a joint committee comprising the Central Water Commission, the Government of Haryana, and the Delhi government.
This committee has been tasked with assessing the carrying capacity of the Najafgarh drain and exploring the feasibility of reducing inflows from Haryana, including the construction of a new drain to divert stormwater downstream of the Yamuna through Gurugram. Two meetings have recently been held to examine the techno-economic feasibility of this proposal.
Urgent Calls for Proactive Engagement
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, the Chief Secretary directed the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department to proactively engage with the committee chairperson, noting that Delhi stands to benefit the most from reduced inflows. He also called for more frequent meetings, data sharing, and site visits to expedite decision-making and ensure coordinated action.
Separately, on the issue of silt management following desilting of drains, the I&FC Department informed that four sites have been identified, and a request for proposal (RFP) is being prepared for permanent disposal solutions such as bio-mining.
With multiple agencies involved in the Yamuna rejuvenation efforts, the Centre has stressed the need for coordinated action and warned that committed deadlines—especially those reviewed at the level of the Home Minister—must not be breached under any circumstances. This directive aims to instill a sense of urgency and accountability across all stakeholders to revive the river's ecosystem.
