Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday directed concerned ministries and officials to adopt a holistic approach for cleaning the Yamuna river, ensuring clean drinking water for Delhi’s residents, and upgrading the city’s sewage system. This directive came during a meeting chaired by Shah, attended by Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other senior officials.
Shah emphasised that the Yamuna is not merely a river but a symbol of faith, making its cleanliness a priority for the Modi government. He instructed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all sewage treatment plants (STPs), setting clear standards for their quality, maintenance, and discharge, and urged that this SOP be shared with other states for wider implementation.
The Home Minister called for a long-term vision spanning 20 years to guide all planning related to the Yamuna, Delhi’s drinking water supply, and drainage systems. He highlighted the important role of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in this effort and stressed the need to strengthen the organisation by filling vacant posts immediately.
Shah also underscored the importance of improving water distribution efficiency in Delhi, urging the DJB to prevent pipeline leakages and strengthen the water supply infrastructure to ensure consistent access to clean drinking water across the city. He additionally stressed the use of advanced technology for desilting drains to maintain efficient water flow and prevent blockages.
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The meeting also reviewed a comprehensive Rs 1,500-crore plan announced by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in March, aimed at cleaning the Yamuna and upgrading Delhi’s sewage infrastructure. As part of this ambitious initiative, the Delhi government plans to construct 40 decentralised sewage treatment plants at a cost of Rs 500 crore.
These plants will treat wastewater at the source, reducing the amount of untreated sewage entering the major drains and the river itself. The plan also includes modernising existing STPs and investing in state-of-the-art machinery to better tackle waste and pollution.
Shah concluded by emphasising that success in cleaning the Yamuna and ensuring safe drinking water would require strong inter-ministerial coordination, accountability, and continuous monitoring. He called on all stakeholders to remain committed to this mission, highlighting that these efforts are vital not only for environmental and public health but also for reinforcing public trust and fostering sustainable urban development in the national capital.
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