DJB's ₹10k-cr Yamuna plan awaits govt nod

In a significant overhaul plan for Delhi's water supply, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has chalked out a ₹10,087 crore detailed project to reclaim Yamuna and revamp the city's water infrastructure.

- Snehil Sinha

NEW DELHI: Officials said on Sunday that this three-year plan has been presented to home minister Amit Shah and Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma for approval.

To be sure, the central government has a separate, long-term plan to clean the Yamuna, and DJB's plan is not connected to that. The most extensive plan of the Delhi government so far, it comprises installing new sewage treatment plants (STPs), river rejuvenation schemes, fixing the broken pipes, and tapping rogue drains.

"The city cannot afford piecemeal fixes anymore. This is a consolidated plan that addresses every part of the water cycle — from source to sewer," a DJB official asserted.

Of the 3,564mld (million litres per day) of sewage generated daily in the Capital, around 2,951mld is actually treated, despite the city having a total STP capacity of 3,470mld, the report by DJB, which HT has seen, said. DJB now aims to increase that capacity by 862mld through upgradation of old plants as well as construction of eight new ones.

Furthermore, DJB documents show that Delhi's major STPs — including the Coronation Pillar, Yamuna Vihar and Okhla — will play a key role in restoring the river's environmental flow.