Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Friday that the state government aims to ensure that not a single drop of untreated water flows into the Yamuna River by the end of 2027. Reviewing the ongoing efforts to make the Yamuna pollution-free, Saini emphasized the need for coordinated and rapid action across all departments.
New Treatment Plants to be Set Up
Stressing the urgency, Saini stated that wherever necessary, new Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) should be established. Currently, 91 STPs with a total capacity of 1,543 million liters per day (MLD) are operational in the Yamuna catchment area. Among these, 41 STPs with a capacity of 593 MLD have been set up in the last five years. Additionally, 11 new STPs are under construction, which will further enhance treatment capacity.
Action Against Industrial Polluters
During the meeting, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, J Ganesan, reported that some industrial units are not operating their ETPs to save costs and are discharging polluted water. In several instances, industries have been found dumping untreated waste into village ponds via tankers. Taking serious note of this, the Chief Minister directed strict action against such units.
CETPs on Major Drains
Saini further directed that CETPs should be installed on all 11 major drains leading to the Yamuna to ensure every drop of industrial wastewater is treated before entering the river. He added that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds could also be utilized for this purpose if required. He also informed that eight new CETPs with a capacity of 147.5 MLD will be set up in the Yamuna catchment area.
Issue of Untreated Waste from Delhi
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of untreated water from drains in New Delhi mixing with Yamuna waters entering Haryana. Pollution Control Board officials informed that about 211 MLD of untreated water flows into Haryana from Delhi through certain drains, which is then treated by Haryana and sent back to Delhi. Saini announced that a meeting will be held with the Chief Minister of Delhi to resolve this issue and ensure that only treated water is discharged into the Yamuna from Delhi.
