Yamuna’s Pollution Crisis: A Political storm Brews Ahead of Delhi Assembly Polls
As the Delhi Assembly polls approach, the Yamuna River has become the epicenter of a heated political debate. former Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal’s claim that “poisonous water is being sent too Delhi from Haryana” has sparked a war of words between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its political rivals.
haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have all criticized Kejriwal’s allegations. The Election Commission of india has even demanded factual evidence to support his claims.
But is there any truth to Kejriwal’s accusations? Environmentalists Bhim singh rana and Pankaj Kumar recently took a boat ride with CNN-News18 near Delhi’s Kashmere Gate to assess the state of the Yamuna.Their findings paint a grim picture.
pankaj Kumar, a volunteer with Earth Warrior, dismissed Kejriwal’s claims as “pure politics.” He stated, “When the former chief Minister says that ammonia levels have gone up in the river, that Haryana has poisoned the river, I would say this is pure politics. They are claiming that from WTP (Waste Treatment Plant) they have got the data of ammonia level being 7 ppm or 6 ppm. If you are making this charge, then release the entire data of what is the ammonia level from Palla (Haryana) to Azgarpur (the last village of Delhi). At the upper side of Wazirabad, the entire flow of Yamuna is stopped, onyl 5 per cent remains. Where we are boating is not Yamuna but Delhi sewage.”
Kumar also highlighted the alarming state of Delhi’s water quality. “In December 2024, in Delhi, 17 drains of Delhi had water flow. The water quality criteria of Delhi nallas (drains) should be BOD (biochemical Oxygen Demand) – 30 MG per litre or less. The government claimed they had trapped all drains. But not one of them met this criteria. Five out of these 17 have BOD – 100 MG per litre. This only means that raw sewage is being pushed into these drains without any sewage treatment.”
The political tussle over the Yamuna’s pollution underscores the urgent need for effective environmental policies. As the debate rages on, the river’s deteriorating condition remains a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Kejriwal’s Allegation | Claims “poisonous water is being sent to Delhi from Haryana.” |
| Political Response | haryana CM, PM Modi, and Amit Shah have criticized Kejriwal’s claims. |
| Environmental Findings| Pankaj Kumar dismisses allegations as “pure politics,” citing sewage issues.|
| Water Quality | 5 out of 17 delhi drains have BOD levels of 100 MG per litre. |
The Yamuna’s plight is not just an environmental issue but a political battleground. As Delhi prepares for the Assembly polls, the river’s future hangs in the balance. Will the political rhetoric translate into actionable solutions? Only time will tell.
Yamuna’s Revival: Can the River be Cleaned in a Month?
The Yamuna River, once a lifeline for Delhi, has become a symbol of environmental neglect. Despite numerous initiatives and crores of rupees spent, the river remains heavily polluted. Environmentalists and activists argue that the solution lies not just in cleaning but in restoring the river’s natural flow.
The problem with Human Control
Bhim Singh Rana, a volunteer with the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), highlights how human intervention has stifled the Yamuna. “A river without its flow is not a river. It can’t clean itself, rejuvenate itself,” he says. The construction of 25 bridges, with five more underway, has “straight-jacketed” the river. “After every 500-600 metres, you have a bridge. its linear connectivity, its vertical connectivity—they are finishing everything,” Rana adds.
This over-engineering has restricted the Yamuna’s natural flow, turning it into a stagnant water body that struggles to cleanse itself.
The Monsoon Miracle
pankaj Kumar, an environmental expert, points out that the Yamuna naturally cleanses itself during the monsoon. “Why does the same river get relatively clean in monsoon? As the flow of river water naturally increases as opposed to drain water. Restoring the flow of the river is the real answer,” he explains.
Faulty Mechanisms and Untrained Personnel
Kumar also criticizes the existing mechanisms to combat pollution.“The CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) and STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) are not fulfilling the purpose. We are spending money for their infrastructure, but the people assigned to run them are not trained for this job,” he says.
Delhi currently has 37 STPs, with three more sanctioned. Though, 800 million gallons per day (mgd) of household wastewater remain untreated. Kumar emphasizes that adhering to the Central Pollution control Board (CPCB) guidelines—treating water at 10 BOD (Biochemical Oxygen demand) and 10 CSS (Chemical Suspended Solids)—could clean the Yamuna within a month.
The Yamuna Action Plan: A question of Accountability
Despite the Yamuna Action Plan receiving nearly Rs 4,000 crore, there is little to show for it. “There is no accountability about the use of this money,” Kumar laments.
The 2025 Turning Point
The year 2025 could be pivotal for the Yamuna’s revival. The Upper Yamuna Basin River Board, formed in 1994, is set to review its water-sharing agreement between states. This agreement considerably impacts Delhi’s share of Yamuna water, which has been restricted over the years.
Key Challenges and Solutions
| challenge | Solution |
|—————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Restricted river flow | Reduce bridge construction and restore natural flow |
| Untreated wastewater | Train personnel to operate STPs effectively |
| Lack of accountability | Ensure transparency in the use of funds for the Yamuna Action Plan |
| Monsoon dependency | Implement year-round measures to increase river flow |
A Call to Action
The Yamuna’s plight is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked urbanization and poor waste management. While cleaning the river is achievable, it requires a holistic approach that prioritizes restoring its natural flow and ensuring accountability in governance.
As Kumar aptly puts it,“If you follow the CPCB guidelines,within one month,Yamuna will be clean.” The question remains: will the authorities take the necessary steps, or will the Yamuna continue to bear the brunt of human negligence?
For more insights on Delhi’s environmental challenges, visit News18.
