New Delhi, Oct. 19 -- Delhi is banking on a Rs.8,941.22-crore package of sewage and water infrastructure projects to clean the Yamuna, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to inaugurate or lay the foundation stones for 43 Delhi Jal Board projects on October 22. The announcement comes a day after more than 35,000 people participated in a government-led cleanliness drive across 70 ghats along the river, during which 76,755 kg of municipal solid waste was removed.

Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, briefing the media on Monday, said the government's focus was shifting from cleaning the riverbanks to preventing sewage and waste from entering the Yamuna. The government has set its sights on cleaning the river before the next elections.

"Cleaning the ghats shows our intent. Stopping sewage from reaching the river is the permanent solution. Every drop of sewage will be collected, treated and reused," Singh said.

43 projects target sewage, treatment capacity

Of the 43 projects, 10 worth Rs.2,827.11 crore will be inaugurated, while foundation stones will be laid for 33 projects worth Rs.6,114.11 crore.

Key works include a new 124-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) sewage treatment plant at Okhla costing Rs.1,161 crore and upgrades to eight existing plants worth Rs.1,041 crore. Their combined treatment capacity is expected to rise from 78.2 MGD to 140.8 MGD, benefiting around 78.5 lakh people.

Another Rs.3,113.67 crore has been earmarked for 29 decentralised sewage treatment plants and pumping stations in outer Delhi, covering 358 unauthorised colonies and 113 villages. A 1,034-km sewer network costing Rs.1,691 crore is expected to benefit 25.82 lakh people.

The package also includes a 477-MLD water treatment plant at Chandrawal worth Rs.298.3 crore, intended to replace facilities built in 1935 and 1955 and serve 22 lakh people, along with a 4.5-km trunk drain in Mundka costing Rs.225.02 crore.

76 tonnes of waste removed from 70 ghats

The "Chalo Yamuna" campaign saw 35,000 participants remove 76,755 kg of waste from riverbank locations across Delhi. Singh thanked 227 sanitation workers and machine operators, and announced a "Birthday with Yamuna" initiative, proposing riverside huts for celebrations. He said he would celebrate his birthday there on November 7.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.