Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said that the Centre and Delhi Government are working together in an unprecedented manner for the cleanliness and revival of Yamuna.
Speaking at an event, the chief minister informed that today Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation for several significant water and sewerage projects costing Rs 1,816 crore, which represent a historic step towards the revival of the Yamuna and strengthening Delhi’s water infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said that Home Minister Amit Shah is continuously working to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit and Surakshit Bharat” and has personally supported every aspect of Delhi’s development. With the backing of the Central Government, 19 water and sewerage projects are being initiated in Delhi, including eight modern sewage treatment plants (STPs), underground drinking water reservoirs, and sewer line installations.
She explained that eight STPs are being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore, underground reservoirs at Rs 99 crore, and sewer lines and house connections at Rs 300 crore. These projects will prevent the flow of polluted water into the Yamuna and provide Delhi residents with clean drinking water and improved sewerage facilities. She noted that previous governments had made only announcements regarding the cleanliness of the Yamuna but never undertook concrete action. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the central government has prepared a systematic action plan for cleaning the Yamuna, which includes constructing STPs on 22 major and 200 minor drains. The sources of pollution are being identified and addressed through tapping, silt surveys, and drone surveys of these drains.
The Chief Minister said earlier governments had made promises to clean the Yamuna but failed to deliver. “Today, a systematic action plan is being implemented. We are not only building STPs but also addressing pollution at its source,” she said.
As part of this plan, STPs are being built on 22 major and 200 minor drains that carry wastewater into the Yamuna. Pollution sources are being mapped through tapping, silt surveys, and drone-based inspections, ensuring that contaminated water is treated before entering the river. The Chief Minister said this marks a decisive step toward restoring the river’s purity and ecological balance. “Maa Yamuna is the lifeline of Delhi. Keeping her clean and flowing is not just an environmental duty but an act of faith,” she said.
The Chief Minister noted that under the Amrit and Amrit-2 schemes, the central government has already provided nearly Rs 2,000 crore to the Delhi Government. The Delhi administration, she said, has also allocated significant funds from its own budget for the Yamuna’s revival. “This campaign reflects our collective resolve,” she said. “It’s not just about infrastructure; it’s about preserving our heritage and ensuring a healthier future.”
Announcing a major cultural initiative, the Chief Minister said that the Delhi Government will organise a grand Chhath festival on the banks of the Yamuna this year. The event will provide the Purvanchali community in Delhi an opportunity to offer prayers at clean and sacred ghats.
“With the Centre’s support, we are committed to ensuring clean water, an efficient sewerage system, and a pollution-free environment for every citizen,” the Chief Minister said, concluding, “Maa Yamuna is a symbol of our faith and existence. Keeping her pure and vibrant is our shared responsibility.”
Speaking on the occasion, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had released a manifesto ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, and within just under
eight months — between September 17 and October 9, during the Pradhan Mantri Seva Pakhwada — large-scale development and reform projects worth Rs 3,600 crore have been implemented, bringing that promise to life.
Taking a dig at the previous AAP Government, the BJP leader further said that the people of Delhi have seen firsthand how the Arvind Kejriwal government looted Delhi’s funds in the name of Yamuna cleaning from 2013 to 2024, including a massive Rs 60,000 crore scam in the Delhi Jal Board.
