NEW DELHI: Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Friday submitted a concrete action plan for cleaning the river Yamuna till March 2019, by identifying and clearing major source of pollution.
The Board also approved creation of decentralised sewer treatment plants (DSTPs) in parks across the Capital.
The decision was taken by DJB at its 141st meeting, headed by chairperson and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, here at Delhi Secretariat.
At the meeting, members of the Board deliberated upon and approved key projects and schemes to improve water and waste water services.
Approval was also given to give 90 per cent rebate on sewer charges for all DJB consumers who use their own DSTPs for water recycling.
Taking note of the fact that one of the major sources of ground water depletion is its extraction and use for horticulture purpose in green areas which use ground water/borewells, the Board approved the proposal to enforce implementation of decentralised waste water treatment system (DWWTS) in parks, schools, departments, societies, commercial complexes, industries, colleges, shopping multiplex, government offices, hospitals and Institutions.
The Board also decided that all major parks and green belt areas – whether under the Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority or Municipal Corporations – would not be allowed to use ground water anymore; instead, arrangements will be made for DWWTSs near the feeding point provided by DJB, where raw sewerage would be lifted from sewer lines, treated and used for horticulture needs.
In the wake of several unfortunate incidents concerning safai karamcharis, DJB also accorded approval to deployment of 200 tailor-made sewer cleaning machines for cleaning of sewer lines in narrow streets and lanes in Dehli.
This is aimed at eliminating the practice of manual cleaning of sewer lines, so that mishaps are avoided and silt and sludge in manholes is not handled physically by sanitation workers. The total expenditure for deployment of 200 such machines will be Rs 380 crore.
The Board also accorded approval for providing and laying sewerage system, construction of DSTPs and development of water bodies with 10 years operation and maintenance cost in Chhattarpur Assembly constituency. The colonies in this constituency fall under the commands of Okhla subzone.