In a major step towards cleaning the Yamuna River, the Delhi government has announced plans to set up 27 new Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) across the city’s redevelopment zones by the end of this year. The move aims to curb the flow of untreated industrial waste and sewage that has long polluted the river.
Currently, 13 CETPs serve 17 industrial areas in Delhi, with a total capacity to treat about 200 million litres of wastewater daily. However, many of these plants have come under criticism for failing to meet pollution standards, especially in removing harmful heavy metals before wastewater is released into the city’s stormwater drains that eventually empty into the Yamuna.
This decision follows a recent meeting between central and state officials, where concerns over the river’s worsening condition were raised. Water activist Varun Gulati also pointed out that previous promises to install CETPs in redeveloped areas were not fulfilled, making the new announcement even more significant.
To support this effort, the government is also using drone surveys to detect and remove illegal encroachments along major drains—another factor that has contributed to the river’s pollution.
Officials hope that these combined measures will make a real difference in reducing the untreated waste that reaches the Yamuna and help restore the health of this vital waterway.