Uma Bharati, minister of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, along with Kapil Mishra, Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture & Language and Water jointly launched the schemes related to Yamuna Action Plan - III.
Uma Bharti said that an amount of Rs 800 crore will be spent on YAP- III. A total of 85 per cent of the cost will be borne by the Centre and the rest by the Delhi government. Giving details of YAP-III, she informed that it includes rehabilitation/modernisation of Sewage Treatment Plants(STP) totaling cto 814 million liters per day(MLD) capacity at Okhla, Kondli and Rithala, construction of a new STP in place of old STP) of 136 MLD capacity at Okhla, rehabilitation of sewer lines/rising mains in the catchments of Kondli and Rithala STPs and Public Outreach Activities, cleaning of Chhat Ghat near ITO and Rs 4.5 crore for a trash cleaning boat — a first of its kind in the city.
She further said: “While this programme may be titled Namami Gange, our primary objective is to kick off work that will ensure that we can clean Mother Yamuna. Over Rs 1,500 crores has been spent on Yamuna Action Plan-1 and 2, but still we have not received any concrete results till now. However, our new plans will ensure that we, along with the Delhi government’s Delhi Jal Board, will clean this river and make it a river that we can take pride in. Kapil has told me that he will send us a comprehensive plan based on Delhi Jal Board’s plans, MoWR’s plans and inputs from several international universities. I will ensure that the plan he submits is supported by the government of India.”
“In order to clean any river, it is important to understand the wholesome ecology of rivers. We need to rejuvenate Yamuna holistically. We have to revive its biodiversity, take care of its aqua life. We also need to develop its riverfront. Rs 800 crore is a small amont but it is definitely a good beginning,” she added.
Mishra promised to clean up river Yamuna in 36 months and said: “A comprehensive plan to clean Yamuna, dirty drains and riverfront development in consultation with the Central government will be prepared within 30 days.”
Meanwhile, Uma Bharti and Kapil Mishra flagged off a trash skimmer boat for Yamuna. The boat captures floating trash and debris from water bodies and deposits them on river banks. The boat, that has been manufactured by a foreign firm, can remove around 10 tonnes of trash per day.
Bharti said: “More of trash cleaning boats will be purchased under the project. But non-availability of Indian manufacturers is making the cost of these boats prohibitory. If Indian manufacturers are to produce low cost cleaning boats, we would be more than willing to put them to trails.”
The stretch of Yamuna in Delhi is mainly polluted by 22 drains which bring highly-polluted water into Yamuna.