CSE says Yamuna remains polluted despite Rs 6,000 cr spent during AAP rule.
Polluted Yamuna River in Delhi despite years of cleanup projects, as the CSE criticises ineffective government efforts and calls for stronger action (Photo: File)
NEW DELHI: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has criticised the Delhi government for its ineffective efforts to clean the Yamuna River, despite spending over Rs 6,000 crore between 2017 and 2022 on various projects aimed at its rejuvenation. The organisation noted that despite massive financial outlays, the river remains heavily polluted, with little on-ground improvement visible.
Notably, during this tenure the Aam Aadmi Party ruled Delhi. The then Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had come to power promising to restore the Yamuna to its natural state. However, most of these promises have failed to translate into real action, remaining largely confined to government documents and project proposals.
The report observes that the outcomes of these initiatives have been "deeply unsatisfactory," with the river's condition showing negligible improvement despite years of investment. In its latest assessment titled "Yamuna A River Cleanup Agenda," the CSE asserted that rejuvenating the Yamuna is still possible, but only if the government adopts a renewed strategy and a more effective, accountable approach.
The report emphasised that the key challenge lies not in inadequate funding but in poor planning, weak execution, and a lack of meaningful public engagement.
CSE's analysis found that nearly 84 percent of the pollution in the Yamuna within Delhi originates from just two major drains Najafgarh and Shahdara—which continue to discharge untreated wastewater directly into the river. It further highlighted that the much-publicised interceptor drain project, launched with the aim of tackling pollution from these drains, has failed to achieve its objectives. "The interceptor drain scheme has not delivered the expected outcomes, and untreated sewage continues to flow into the river," the report stated.
The CSE report also noted that Delhi currently operates 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity to treat more than 80 percent of the city's sewage. However, the water quality of the Yamuna remains alarmingly poor. The study attributed this continuing pollution in part to the illegal dumping of sewage by tankers into the city's drains, which aggravates contamination levels and undermines the effectiveness of treatment facilities.
To address these persistent issues, CSE recommended a complete revision of the action plans for the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, calling for the inclusion of practical, enforceable, and outcome-based measures. The report also underscored the importance of introducing robust monitoring mechanisms and ensuring greater accountability across all implementing agencies to guarantee the timely and effective execution of projects. Moreover, CSE urged the Delhi government to involve citizens more actively in the cleanup effort through widespread public awareness campaigns and community participation.
"No river cleanup can succeed without the involvement of the people," the report stated, highlighting the need for civic responsibility and continuous public monitoring.
The CSE findings present a stark reminder of the scale of Delhi's river pollution crisis. Although the Yamuna flows for only 22 kilometers through the national capital a mere two percent of its total basin length—this short stretch contributes more than 80 percent of the total pollution load in the river.
The report concludes that while the Yamuna's revival remains possible, it will require more than just financial investment. A combination of scientific planning, political will, institutional accountability, and active citizen engagement is essential if Delhi is to transform the Yamuna from one of India's most polluted rivers into a living, thriving waterway once again.
