To restore the sacred and once pristine blue Yamuna River, the Delhi Government has sought the assistance of the Territorial Army to guard the heavily polluted waterbody from rampant dumping, unauthorised mining, encroachment, and water theft.
This initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to clean the Yamuna within three years and preserve it in its natural form. Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma, addressing a press briefing on Thursday, stressed the importance of public awareness in protecting the river rather than adopting a punitive approach.
“Delhi government has requested Territorial Army to protect Yamuna,” said Mr Verma. “We don't want to put fines but want to educate people that why they should not throw garbage in Yamuna or why they should save water,” he added.
The proposal, under active consideration by the administration, will involve the deployment of the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force (ETF), known for its environmental protection initiatives. Formal communication to the Defence Ministry is expected in the coming weeks.
While no official request has been received yet, a senior official from the Ministry of Defence said, “An official communication regarding such is not known to us yet, but yes, if asked, Territorial Army's arm, Ecological Task Force, is dedicated to such tasks and is capable of protecting the River Yamuna.”
The initiative follows a wider campaign launched by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, who recently inducted a 94-member Territorial Army company to oversee cleanliness and prevent encroachments on the Yamuna floodplains.
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Despite past efforts and considerable financial investments, the 22-km stretch of the river flowing through the capital continues to resemble a sewage canal. Repeated failures to achieve measurable outcomes have spurred calls for greater accountability and a structured, result-oriented action plan.
The Yamuna's pollution is primarily caused by untreated sewage, industrial waste, garbage dumping, illegal sand mining, and unchecked encroachments. Its deteriorating state became a significant electoral issue in Delhi, highlighting public discontent with the slow pace of reform.
In response, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has prepared a 'Yamuna Master Plan', set to be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approval. Drawing inspiration from the Sabarmati Riverfront Project, the plan proposes a comprehensive, mission-driven approach to river rejuvenation.
The Master Plan is built on four key pillars:
Waste and silt removal: Clearing the accumulated waste to improve the river’s natural flow.
Drain cleaning: Identifying major polluting drains and preventing the discharge of untreated wastewater.
Monitoring of STPs: Ensuring the efficiency of Sewage Treatment Plants and their adherence to environmental regulations.
Expansion of infrastructure: Enhancing wastewater treatment capacity to manage urban effluents effectively.
Officials believe the combined efforts of the Delhi Government, the Territorial Army, and the Centre’s master plan could mark a turning point in the long-delayed clean-up of the Yamuna.
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