Delhi seeks Centre’s help to reduce ammonia level in Yamuna

The Delhi government on Friday sought the Central government’s help in reducing the level of ammonia gas in the Yamuna river and shutting down its two water treatment plants.

Delhi’s water minister Kapil Mishra informed Union Water Resource Minister Uma Bharti about the increased level of ammonia gas in the Yamuna.

“Higher ammonia level again (witnessed) in Yamuna. Just had a talk with Uma Bharti and she has promised (us) to intervene and take it (issue) up with Haryana,” Mishra tweeted.

The Delhi government also decided to temporarily shut down its two water treatment plants in Wazirabad and Chandrawal after the level of ammonia in the raw water supply from Yamuna river was found to be higher than the desired level. The acceptable limit of ammonia in water is 0.2 milligrams per litre. “Both plants (water treatment plants) have been closed due to high levels of ammonia in Yamuna,” Mishra said in a number of tweets. To take stock of the situation, Mishra also called an emergency meeting of Delhi Jal Board officials at Wazirabad plant. 

Meanwhile, a spurt in ammonia level in Yamuna has left its water beyond treatment forcing the closure of Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants, and severely affecting areas falling under NDMC including Lutyens’ zone.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Secretary K K Sharma had written to his Haryana counterpart apprising him of the “deteriorating” water quality and sought his intervention for taking necessary steps to prevent entry of pollutants in Yamuna.