Strategy on Yamuna

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, September 2

Citizens, representatives of NGOs and experts can now suggest ways and means to clean the river Yamuna. The suggestions would be included for studies by experts, covering different aspects of the development of the river, to formulate a cohesive plan for river rejuvenation.

Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna, who is also the chairman of the high-powered committee on the river, has asked for comments by September 21 so that it is included in the studies. The other members of this committee are Delhi Chief Minister, Secretaries to the Union Ministries of Urban Development, Environments and Forests and Water Resources. Expert members would be co-opted by the Committee. The work of the committee is expected to commence soon.

HT takes a look at various plans which have been submitted for the river in the recent past. Ironically, none of the them materialised nor did it improve the water quality despite spending Rs 1500 crores in the last 15 years.

DDA plan : A DDA report, prepared in 1990 was the first in the series. It wanted the channelisation of the river in which 550-600 metres was to be left for the flow of the river. It recommended reclamation of the 7300 hectares of land from the river bed. Of this 7300 hectares of land in the heart of the city, the report wanted 85 percent to be used for recreational activity, 3 percent each for residential and commercial development, 6 percent for public and semi public facilities and another 3 percent for circulation (roads).

The report said that two bandhs (barriers) would be built on either side of the water

channel for the control of floods. The total area of the river bed is 9700 hectares in

which 2400 hectares is under water and the balance of 7300 hectares was sought for reclamation.

DTTDC and HUDCO plan: The latest proposal to rejuvenate river Yamuna says that for perennial water flow, two mega reservoirs should be built to trap the rain water and then allow it to release the water gradually. According to the draft proposal, the two mega reservoirs should be built on the Yamuna and the Hindon river upstream from Delhi. Both would have a link through a canal. In addition, a smaller reservoir has been proposed at the confluence, south of Delhi. The three reservoirs would have an area of 354 sq km. The proposal talks about an expenditure of Rs 18,000 crore for building the reservoirs, rehabilitation, channelisation, constructing sewage treatment plants and other inputs.

According to the draft, creation of sporting facilities for the public and the creation of pedestrian promenades would be the features in the first phase. The benefits listed are several. The lake, formed after creating the reservoir, would be one of the largest man made lakes in the world and ideal for quick gate-aways for the people of the city. Moreover, there would be enough water till 2021 even wit 67 percent growth. There would be a beautiful river front and 10,000 acres of new public parks. The presentation said the pollution in the river would be diluted and the reservoir would act as a coolant for creating a microclimate around Delhi.

Yamuna Cleaning Authority: The constitution of this authority was suggested by officials of the Delhi government on the lines of the Thames Cleaning Authority in London.

Interceptor Sewers: There is another plan to construct interceptor sewers at various places in the city before the sewage is discharged in the river. The plan entails construction of small sewage treatment plants along the drains. It also talks about creation of enough sewage treatment capacity in the plants so that even the needs of the year 2025 are met. (2007)