A Major Step to Clean the Yamuna: Amit Shah Unveils 43 Projects Worth ₹8,941 Crore

A short summary: On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for 43 projects aimed at cleaning the Yamuna River, with a total investment of ₹8,941 crore. The projects, a joint effort of the central government, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, target a fully cleaned Yamuna by May 2029.

Project Overview

• Total investment: ₹8,941 crore
• Number of projects: 43
• Target completion: May 2029
• Key components: new sewage treatment plants (STPs), decentralized STPs (DSTPs), sewage lines, and a 1,034 km new sewer network.

Major Projects

• Okhla STP: 124 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity, the largest in the National Capital Region.
• 29 DSTPs & pumping stations: Cover 358 unauthorized colonies and 113 villages, benefiting 3.629 million residents.
• New STP at Chandrawal: 477 MLD capacity to replace the old plant.

Stakeholders Involved

• Central Government – funding and coordination.
• Delhi Government – implementation and local support.
• Uttar Pradesh & Haryana – collaborative efforts.
• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta – present at the ceremony.
• Water Minister Prashant Verm – highlighted the projects’ impact.

Practical Implications

• Sewer connectivity: Aims to connect every household to the sewer system within three years.
• Water quality: Improved treatment will reduce pollution entering the Yamuna.
• Public health: Cleaner river water reduces disease risk for communities along the banks.

How to Verify

• Check the official press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Monitor the project progress on the Delhi Water Supply & Sewerage Board website.
• Follow updates from the Yamuna Action Plan portal.

Conclusion

The launch of these 43 projects marks a significant commitment to restoring the Yamuna. While the timeline remains ambitious, coordinated action across four states could bring measurable improvements to the river’s health by 2029.