PM Modi backs role of public, space tech in Yamuna revival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on the rejuvenation of the Yamuna with Union home minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, and senior officials from the Centre and the Delhi government at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, officials said on Thursday.

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI:

Widespread public participation in cleaning the river, the use of real-time data and space technology to track drain flows, regular assessment of sewage treatment plants, and the creation of a corpus for the river were among the ideas discussed during the meeting held on Wednesday, the officials cited above said.

Wednesday's high-level meeting came a day after the Delhi government's expenditure and finance committee, headed by chief minister Rekha Gupta, approved the setting up of 27 decentralised sewage treatment plants (D-STPs), related facilities, and infrastructure at a cost of ₹3,140 crore for cleaning the Yamuna.

The PM directed that the best available technology be harnessed to gather micro-level real-time data to measure drain flows and monitor the functioning of sewage treatment plants, a statement from the Delhi CM's office said. He also advised that space technology be used for this purpose, it added.

"Centre will work closely with the Delhi government to ensure world-class infrastructure and 'ease of living' for my sisters and brothers of Delhi," the PM posted on X on Thursday.

A clean Yamuna was among the key promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2025 Delhi assembly election and remained a hot-button issue during the campaign.