‘Sabarmati model not fit for Yamuna’

The Delhi government had sent three teams to Gujarat to ‘study successful projects in different fields,’ one of which was a 13 member team comprising bureaucrats and scientists to study the Sabarmati riverfront project and to ‘suggest how the concept can be used for effective implementation of Yamuna Action plan in Delhi,’ said a senior officer.

The major problem in following the Sabarmati river model is the size and shape of Yamuna. Only 11 km of Sabarmati river touches the city against 22 km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi, from Palla to Okhla Barrage.

‘The river banks of Sabarmati are cemented. It is not possible for Yamuna as its river bed is huge. If we do so, it will trigger a threat of massive flood,’ said a senior Delhi government official who refused to be quoted.

Another major problem is the ecology of Yamuna’s river bed. The environment department says cementing of river beds or putting boulders on the banks will destroy the ecology. The only option Delhi has got is deep forestation.

‘Dense forests on the river bed are the only option to control the rising level of water of the river. The slums and other illegal constructions have to be removed from the river bed,’ the official added.

Sources say the report is delayed for 10-15 days as officials are not willing to openly counter the Centre’s order to follow the Gujarat model in Delhi.

Forest and environment department officials verbally suggested LG that Yamuna River has a trend to change its route of flow and any permanent structure cannot be erected for flood control. In past 200-300 years, Yamuna has shifted about 3 km from its original flow area near Lal Quila.

Another problem in following Sabarmati river model is sewer outlets. While Sabarmati has no direct sewer outlets, Yamuna has dozens.

‘The only solution to clean Yamuna is to set up a number of small sewage treatment plants on every sewer outlet falling in to the river. Moreover, we need sufficient water for the river which has been halted by the neighbouring state Haryana,’ the official said.

Despite over Rs 1,900 crore having spent over the past two decades under the Yamuna Action Plan 1 and 2, the river continues to be one of the most polluted in India. Delhi is getting less than three percent of Yamuna’s water from Haryana against 4.2 percent which was promised after commissioning of Munak Canal. At least 80 million gallons a day (MGD) of Delhi’s share of water is not being released by Haryana which is leading to water crisis in the river and the city as well.