top of page

LB PUBLICATION

Yamuna’s Cry for Help : Will It Ever Flow Clean Again?

"Foam, Filth, and Failure: The Real Story of Yamuna’s Pollution"
"Foam, Filth, and Failure: The Real Story of Yamuna’s Pollution"
audio file - yamuna crises

The Yamuna River, once a sacred and lifeline water source for millions in India, has suffered an immense environmental and ecological degradation. In Delhi, the river has become a prime example of urban pollution, affecting not only the environment but the health and livelihoods of countless people who rely on it. The Yamuna, which is revered in Indian culture and has spiritual significance, now stands as a stark symbol of urban neglect and environmental mismanagement.


The State of the Yamuna River :

The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand and flows through Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Ganges. However, by the time it reaches Delhi, the river faces numerous threats from industrial waste, untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and encroachments. In Delhi, the river is often black and fetid, with a heavy layer of foam and debris floating on its surface.

In 1993, the Delhi government undertook the Yamuna Action Plan, promising to clean the river. However, decades of policy failure, insufficient implementation, and lack of accountability have left the Yamuna in an irreversible state of pollution.


Sources of Pollution :

1. Untreated Sewage: One of the major contributors to the pollution of the Yamuna in Delhi is untreated sewage. Approximately 60% of the sewage generated in Delhi is dumped directly into the river without treatment. The city's sewer system is outdated and cannot handle the volume of wastewater, leading to untreated effluents pouring into the Yamuna daily. Around 3,000 million liters of untreated sewage are discharged into the river every day.


2. Industrial Effluents: Industrialization along the river has worsened the situation. Several factories, especially in the Okhla and Wazirabad regions, discharge untreated chemical waste into the river. These effluents contain harmful substances like heavy metals and toxins, making the water highly toxic for both aquatic life and humans.


3. Religious and Cultural Practices: The Yamuna is also a focal point for religious rituals. Every year, millions of people gather to take holy dips in the river, offering flowers, incense, and other items that contribute to the river’s pollution. Cremation activities along the riverbank also add to the contamination, with the remains of bodies and burnt wood flowing into the water.


4. Plastic and Solid Waste: Garbage, especially plastic waste, is often discarded directly into the river. In the parts of Delhi where the river is highly polluted, heaps of plastic bottles, bags, and other waste are visible in the water. These materials disrupt the aquatic ecosystem and further degrade water quality.

 

Real Case Examples :

1. The Okhla Wastewater Treatment Plant Collapse: The Okhla Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves parts of South Delhi, is often cited as an example of failed infrastructure. For years, the plant has been underperforming, failing to process sewage properly. As a result, the untreated sewage ends up in the Yamuna. In 2018, reports surfaced of untreated sewage flowing into the river even though the plant was supposed to treat a large portion of the city's wastewater. This collapse exacerbated the river’s contamination levels.

 

2. The 2019 Foam Crisis: In the winter of 2019, a thick layer of foam covered large portions of the Yamuna River, especially around the Kalindi Kunj area. This foam, formed by the presence of high levels of detergents and industrial chemicals, became a dangerous hazard for residents and wildlife. The foam, which could be seen as far as the Okhla Barrage, drew widespread criticism from environmental groups, highlighting the urgency of treating sewage and chemical waste before it enters the river.

 

3. The 'Yamuna Ki Safai' Campaigns: Over the years, several initiatives have been launched to clean the Yamuna, with varying degrees of success. The 'Yamuna Ki Safai' campaign, launched in 2017, was aimed at cleaning up the river and restoring its sanctity. However, despite repeated efforts, the pollution levels have not seen a significant reduction. The government has failed to deliver on promises to install more sewage treatment plants and to enforce stricter penalties for industrial effluent discharge.

 

4. The 2020 Yamuna Pollution Case: In 2020, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) reprimanded the Delhi government for failing to curb the pollution in the Yamuna. The NGT noted that the river was in "extremely critical condition," and pointed out that the city's municipal corporations had failed to meet targets for reducing untreated sewage discharge. The tribunal also ordered immediate steps to prevent the dumping of solid waste into the river, and directed authorities to implement better waste management and sewage treatment solutions.


Environmental and Public Health Impacts :

The consequences of Yamuna’s pollution in Delhi are far-reaching. The water quality has deteriorated to such an extent that the river is now considered "dead" in many stretches. High levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which indicates the amount of oxygen required by aquatic organisms to decompose organic matter, make the river nearly uninhabitable for aquatic life. The absence of oxygen in the water causes fish and other organisms to perish, disrupting the entire ecosystem.

For the people living near the river, the health impacts are severe. According to studies, waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery are rampant in areas close to the riverbanks. Moreover, the polluted water poses a risk to residents who rely on it for irrigation, drinking, and washing.


The Government’s Efforts and Challenges :

While the government has made efforts to clean up the Yamuna, progress has been slow and largely ineffective. The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP), launched in 1993, aimed to reduce pollution by treating sewage and regulating industrial waste. However, a recent assessment by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India revealed that only 30% of the sewage generated in Delhi is treated, and the rest continues to flow untreated into the river.

The construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) has also faced delays and technical challenges. The situation was further exacerbated by rapid urban expansion, which has overwhelmed existing infrastructure. In 2020, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) even called the government’s failure to prevent Yamuna’s pollution a "national shame."

 

Possible Solutions :

To address the severe pollution of the Yamuna, several measures need to be implemented:

1. Upgrading Sewage Treatment Infrastructure: One of the most pressing needs is the modernization of Delhi’s sewage treatment plants. Only about 35% of Delhi’s sewage is treated before being discharged into the river. More treatment plants and better wastewater management are essential to reduce the pollution load.

 

2. Industrial Waste Management: There is an urgent need to regulate industrial effluents and ensure that factories follow proper waste treatment procedures. Stricter penalties for non-compliance must be enforced.

 

3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Informing the public about the importance of keeping the river clean and discouraging the dumping of waste into the river is key to improving the situation. This could involve both governmental and non-governmental organizations working to raise awareness.

 

4. Restoration Projects: Several restoration projects, including wetland restoration and riverfront beautification, can help improve the river’s condition. For example, the cleaning of the Najafgarh drain, which contributes a significant amount of untreated sewage to the Yamuna, can go a long way in improving water quality.

 

5. Community Participation: Local communities, including religious groups, must also be involved in the efforts to clean the river. Encouraging people to stop the practice of dumping offerings and other materials into the river is crucial for reducing solid waste.

 

Conclusion

The Yamuna River, once a lifeline for Delhi’s residents, now finds itself at the center of a severe pollution crisis. Decades of neglect, poor infrastructure, and a lack of political will have turned this sacred river into a symbol of urban decay. While steps have been taken to restore the Yamuna, much more needs to be done. A combined effort from the government, industries, and the public will be required to reverse the damage and restore the river’s health for future generations. Until then, the Yamuna will continue to flow through Delhi as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked pollution.


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page