Reviving the Sacred

Delhi’s ambitious plan to clean and rejuvenate the Yamuna River focuses on sewage treatment, waste removal, pollution control, and sustainable water management in order to restore its purity

- NEERAJ SINGH MANHAS

The Yamuna River, one of India's holiest and most essential water bodies, has been a lifeline for millions of people for centuries. Flowing through the heart of Delhi, the river has also been central to the city's cultural, religious, and economic fabric. However, over the years, the Yamuna has suffered from extreme pollution, especially in its passage through the national capital. In February 2025, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, launched an ambitious plan aimed at rejuvenating the river, with a target to improve its water quality significantly by 2032. This initiative, though challenging, aims to restore the Yamuna to its former glory and preserve it for future generations.

The Yamuna's water quality has been a significant cause for concern for environmentalists, public health experts, and residents. A major environmental crisis emerged in November 2023, when the river's faecal coliform count reached an alarming 7.9 million MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 milliliters, far exceeding the safe limit of 500 MPN/100 ml. This dramatic rise in pollution levels has been attributed to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and other forms of waste being discharged into the river.

Additionally, the river's surface has been plagued by toxic foam, caused by the discharge of industrial chemicals, detergents, and untreated sewage. This foam has not only posed a significant health hazard to the local population but also disrupted religious and cultural practices along the river, such as bathing and immersion of idols. The pollution has resulted in a grim scenario where the Yamuna, once revered for its purity, has now become a symbol of environmental neglect.

To combat these growing challenges, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena unveiled a four-pronged strategy aimed at addressing the river's pollution. This comprehensive plan focuses on several critical areas of intervention: