Delhi Government has allocated Rs 9,000 crore to enhance water supply and clean Yamuna.
NEW DELHI: In a major step towards ensuring clean water and sanitation for all citizens, the Delhi Government has allocated a record-breaking Rs 9,000 crores for the water and sanitation sector in the Budget for 2025-26. This initiative aims to provide clean drinking water to the 3 crore residents of Delhi while significantly improving the city’s sewage infrastructure.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously pledged that, if the BJP came to power, cleaning the Yamuna would be a top priority. Aligning with this vision, the Delhi government has introduced an extensive Rs 500-crore plan to rejuvenate the Yamuna River and upgrade Delhi’s sewage systems, marking a significant environmental and infrastructural milestone for the capital. Additionally, to boost tourism and recreational activities, boat tours will be launched on the Yamuna River from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur Shani Mandir under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
While presenting the budget, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Yamuna’s restoration, stating, “Our dedication to cleaning the Yamuna remains steadfast. This is more than just a budget allocation—it is a pledge to the people of Delhi.”
She emphasised the cultural and historical significance of the river, asserting, “The Yamuna is not merely a water body but a symbol of our heritage. Cleaning it is an integral part of our manifesto and remains a top priority in this budget.”
As part of its strategy to clean the Yamuna, the newly formed government has proposed a Rs 500-crore initiative aimed at restoring the river and enhancing Delhi’s sewage framework. This plan includes constructing 40 decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), modernising existing STPs, and deploying advanced equipment to combat waste and pollution. Moreover, Rs 40 crore has been designated for the acquisition of modern machinery such as trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredging tools. Additionally, Rs 50 crore will be spent on reviving Delhi’s water bodies, while another Rs 50 crore is allocated for rainwater harvesting initiatives. Furthermore, Rs 150 crore has been earmarked for emergency water storage to address future water shortages.
Alongside this, a substantial amount of Rs 500 crore has been set aside for sewage treatment plant repairs and development, Rs 250 crore for replacing aging sewer lines, and another Rs 250 crore for upgrading water treatment plants. To enhance sewerage management, Rs 20 crore has been allocated for procuring Super Sucker and Dickey machines. Additionally, the Wazirabad trunk sewer will undergo renovation at a cost of Rs 10 crore. To further address wastewater pollution, Rs 250 crore has been designated for treating dirty drain water, with Rs 50 crore reserved for repairing the CLC Drain. A separate Rs 200 crore has been proposed for converting and intercepting the Najafgarh Drain.
To curb the direct discharge of untreated wastewater into the Yamuna, the government has allocated Rs 250 crore for a drain-tapping project that will divert and treat wastewater from major drains. The Najafgarh Drain, a major contributor to Yamuna’s pollution, will receive Rs 200 crore for its conversion and interception. Recognising the enormity of the challenge, the Delhi Government has also sought Rs 2,000 crore in financial assistance from the central government to modernise Delhi’s water and sewage infrastructure to meet international standards.
In an effort to tackle Delhi’s water scarcity, the government has introduced multiple initiatives, including GPS tracking systems for water tankers and the development of an Android app, “DJB Tanker”, which will allow citizens to monitor the movement of tankers in their areas. Additionally, Rs 10 crore has been allocated for consultancy services to aid in water sector projects. To improve water management efficiency, Rs 150 crore has been allocated for automation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and intelligent metering. To further prevent water loss and improve efficiency, pipelines will be laid to replace open canals from Haryana at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. Moreover, the government will invest Rs 100 crore in installing new borewells and Ranney wells to augment Delhi’s water supply.