New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, October 22, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 43 projects worth ₹8,941.22 crore aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna River and improving Delhi’s water and sewerage infrastructure.
The projects, undertaken by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), were announced at an event in Shyam Vihar. Of the total, 10 projects worth ₹2,827.11 crore were inaugurated, while the foundation stones were laid for 33 projects costing ₹6,114.11 crore. The initiative aims to reduce river pollution through improved sewage treatment, expanded sewer networks and better wastewater management.
Target to Clean the Yamuna by 2029
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said the government aimed to make the Yamuna clean and present its work to the public in 2029.
Targeting the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he alleged that previous governments had allowed sewage and other waste to enter the river without taking adequate steps to address pollution.
Shah said the projects, worth nearly ₹9,000 crore, would play a significant role in the effort to clean the Yamuna. He emphasised that improving wastewater treatment and preventing untreated sewage from flowing into the river were essential to achieving the objective.
The Home Minister also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prioritised the Yamuna’s rejuvenation soon after the government was formed in Delhi. According to Shah, the government had made progress towards its goal within a relatively short period. <Cite refs={[“turn416699view1″,”turn814268search0”]} />
New 124 MGD Sewage Treatment Plant Planned in Okhla
The projects include several major initiatives to strengthen sewage treatment and water infrastructure across Delhi.
- New Okhla STP: A sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 124 million gallons per day (MGD) will be developed at a cost of ₹1,161 crore.
- Upgradation of eight STPs: Existing sewage treatment plants will be upgraded at a cost of ₹1,041 crore.
- 29 new decentralised STPs and sewage pumping stations: These facilities will be developed in outer Delhi at a cost of ₹3,113.67 crore.
- New sewer network: A 1,034-kilometre sewer network will be developed at a cost of ₹1,691 crore.
- Chandrawal water treatment plant: A plant with a capacity of 477 million litres per day (MLD) will be developed at a cost of ₹298.3 crore.
- Mundka trunk drain: A 4.5-kilometre trunk drain will be constructed at a cost of ₹225.02 crore.
The projects are intended to prevent untreated sewage from entering drains that eventually flow into the Yamuna while strengthening Delhi’s water and sanitation infrastructure.
Amit Shah Targets Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Vote Theft’ Allegations
During his address, Shah also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over allegations of electoral irregularities and the issue of “vote theft”.
He alleged that Rahul Gandhi was using the issue to protect the voting rights of alleged infiltrators. Shah also questioned the Congress’s electoral prospects and expressed confidence that the BJP would remain in power for an extended period.
The Home Minister said protests and public demonstrations alone could not win elections, arguing that political parties needed to address people’s problems and demonstrate their performance to secure public support.
His remarks came amid an ongoing political exchange between the BJP and opposition parties over electoral issues and governance.
Shah Attacks AAP Over Drug Trafficking in Punjab
Shah also criticised the AAP government in Punjab over the drug trade, alleging that the problem remained serious in the state. He predicted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would receive public support in the upcoming elections.
The Home Minister said the BJP aimed to eliminate the drug trade in Punjab by 2029. He also accused AAP of shifting its attention to Punjab after losing power in Delhi, alleging that this was affecting governance in the state.
These remarks represent Shah’s political allegations against the AAP government.
Sewage Management at the Centre of Yamuna Cleanup Efforts
Untreated sewage entering the river remains a major challenge in efforts to reduce pollution in the Yamuna. The newly announced projects focus on sewage treatment plants, upgrades to existing facilities, decentralised treatment infrastructure and expansion of sewer networks.
The objective is to collect and treat wastewater before it reaches the river and increase the scope for reusing treated water wherever feasible.
Once completed, the projects are expected to improve Delhi’s drainage and wastewater management systems. However, their long-term impact will also depend on the regular operation of treatment plants, the expansion of sewer connections and continuous monitoring of treated water quality.
