Rescuing the Yamuna: Turning the Tide on Delhi's Polluted Lifeline

Rescuing the Yamuna: Turning the Tide on Delhi's Polluted Lifeline

Rescuing the Yamuna: Turning the Tide on Delhi's Polluted Lifeline
A River Under Siege The Yamuna River is one of the most prestigious and significant rivers in India that have now turned into a poignant token of an environmental disaster, especially within Delhi. The Yamuna-used to be a teeming ecosystem-is grossly polluted today, with long stretches nearly biologically dead. There is hardly any fresh water flowing downstream of the Wazirabad barrage except during the monsoon period, and this threatens the health of the river. This is, in fact, especially bad throughout a 22-kilometre stretch in Delhi, where 18 major drains dump untreated or partially treated sewage directly into the river. Pollution Chronicles: The Stark Numbers The report from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, published this January 2021, has painted a grim picture about the state of the Yamuna. Delhi alone generates approximately 3,273 million litres of sewage per day (MLD), while the city's sewage treatment system is grossly inadequate. It has a capacity of mere 2,715 MLD and treats only 2,432 MLD actually, and, therefore, around 941 MLD of untreated sewage reaches the Yamuna every day. This makes a big contribution towards polluting the river and turning it into a hazardous stream. [caption id="attachment_8288" align="aligncenter" width="782"]Schematic representation of the directional flow of drains into river Yamuna vis a vis concentration of Ammonical Nitrogen on monitored locations Schematic representation of the directional flow of drains into river Yamuna vis a vis concentration of Ammonical Nitrogen on monitored locations [/caption] Industry’s Role: Combatting the Crisis Role of Industry: Fighting the Crisis Role of Industry: Fighting the Crisis Industrial Contributions: Adopting Responsibilities Some companies have, however, realised the gravity of the situation regarding Yamuna pollution and started identifying and mitigating their environmental impacts. It is very well known that the industrial operations, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR), have been one of the major sources of pollution, yet a growing awareness and a will to change is observably emerging. Shifting to Designated Areas For instance, in Panipat, Haryana, plans are underway to shift the highly scattered industrial units into industrial estates. These are installed with CETPs, which centralize the treatment of the industrial effluent. This would help with efficient wastewater treatment and ensure that there is easy monitoring and environmental compliance. [caption id="attachment_8290" align="aligncenter" width="788"]Industry’s Role: Combatting the Crisis 
 

Graphical representation of Ammonical Nitrogen in river Yamuna from Yamunotri, Uttarakhand to Sonepat, Haryana [/caption] [caption id="attachment_8292" align="aligncenter" width="794"]Graphical representation of Ammonical Nitrogen in river Yamuna from Palla, Delhi Border to Allahabad Downstream, UP Graphical representation of Ammonical Nitrogen in river Yamuna from Palla, Delhi Border to Allahabad Downstream, UP[/caption] Expanding Existing Treatment Facilities CETPs are being upgraded at the existing industrial clusters in Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. New ones are under construction. Such upgrading is very important to bear the increasing burden of industrial effluent and to ensure that the treated water meets the discharge standards. Industries are also adopting novel technology that would be able to remove the pollutants from wastewater, thereby reducing their contribution to pollution in the Yamuna. Innovative Waste Management Some organizations design ZLD systems that clean the wastewater and reuse it, hence reducing the pollution load on the rivers. Since the ZLD systems reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes greatly through reutilization of water and recovery valuable materials from the garbage, it is among the industrial waste management breakthroughs. [caption id="attachment_8293" align="aligncenter" width="451"]Point sources carrying wastewater to river Yamuna between Hathnikund- Wazirabad Barrage Point sources carrying wastewater to river Yamuna between Hathnikund- Wazirabad Barrage [/caption] Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Industries, too, are taking proactive initiatives through their CSR activities, a majority of which include projects for cleaning up and reviving the Yamuna. These run the gamut of awareness campaigns to actual involvement in pollution control projects. Awareness Campaigns The industries are thus working with environment NGOs in developing awareness programs which help the general public and stakeholders from various industries understand the importance of river protection. Most such initiatives advocate people and businesses to adopt sustainable behaviors. Pollution-reduction measures also encourage protection of river ecosystem. Support to Bioremediation Projects A lot of companies are providing financial and technical support for the in-situ bioremediation activities along the Yamuna. These employ natural mechanisms to take away the pollutants: microbial and phytoremediation. Bioremediation works either by degrading harmful substances through microorganisms, termed microbial bioremediation, or by the absorption and removal of contaminants by plants, termed phytoremediation. These mechanisms afford long-term relief to the regular treatment processes and are of particular significance in areas where traditional infrastructure is grossly lacking. Froth, Fish Kills, and Rising Ammonia: Yamuna Cries for Help Foaming Frenzy One of the most visible signs of pollution in the Yamuna is the accumulation of froth on its surface, primarily downstream of the Okhla barrier. The major constituents of this foam include decaying organic debris and surfactants-chemical substances commonly found in synthetic detergents. These detergents are non-biodegradable, and the presence of these in river water results in thick foam generation that can often be seen floating on the surface. More than being an eyesore, the foam reflects the degrading health of the river, signaling excessive levels of pollution and hazardous chemicals. Silent Killers: Ammonia and Fish Deaths The rising levels of ammonia nitrogen in the Yamuna, especially at the Wazirabad intake site, are a cause for grave concern. When ammonia levels in the water are this high, they become lethal to aquatic life. Indeed, several fish deaths have been recorded downstream of Mathura and upstream of Agra. These incidents serve as grim reminders that the Yamuna is struggling to support life-a sure sign of its failing health. Ammonia is mainly present in the river due to the discharge of sewage and untreated industrial effluents containing a large amount of nitrogenous chemicals. Response of Government: Action and Challenges Action Plans and NGT Compliance The RRCs of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have submitted action plans to the CPCB in compliance with the directions of the NGT. These proposals detail various steps that can be undertaken towards rejuvenation of the Yamuna and its restoration to a swimmable entity. This simply means bringing down the BOD levels in the river to less than 3 mg/L and faecal coliform levels to less than 500 MPN/100 ml, the critical limits for the river to become safe for use by humans. [caption id="attachment_8294" align="aligncenter" width="555"]Illegal Discharge of wastewater through tankers as observed by the CPCB Team on 12.7.2021 Illegal Discharge of wastewater through tankers as observed by the CPCB Team on 12.7.2021[/caption] Preventive Measures and Persistent Problems The Haryana government has been taking various measures in the last few years to tackle pollution in Yamuna, from relocating industrial units to certain identified areas with CETPs to setting up new treatment plants. These are usually delayed due to objections like CETPs not meeting specifications or poor utilization of STPs. At times, court cases relating to the shifting of industrial units delay these. Secondly, the inadequate infrastructure is unable to handle the huge amount that gets generated and leads to continued contamination. The Untreated Threat: Sewage and Industrial Waste Wazirabad: Gateway to Pollution Located near the entry point of Yamuna into Delhi, Wazirabad is rated as one of the most polluted stretches of the river. This area is flooded with treated and partially treated waste coming out of different STPs of the city. Due to frequent power breakdowns, mechanical failures, and issues with maintenance, untreated sewage continues to spill directly into the river, adding to its pollution. Add to that the unplanned location of the STPs and mismatch between the installed treatment capacity at STPs and the volume of sewage generated-an estimated 60% of the generated wastewater is discharged untreated into the rivers. Crisis in the Capital The July 2024 DPCC report presents a grim picture of the state of affairs relating to the Yamuna. The investigation revealed that BOD levels of the river had increased to 93 mg/l, way above the clean water criteria set by the Central Pollution Control Board at 3 mg/L. The fecal coliform level was also alarming, reported as 1.1 billion bacteria per 100 milliliters, against the tolerable bathing limit of 500. These findings depict the seriousness of the pollution problem and the urgent need for comprehensive and continuous measures for improvement. Searching for a Solution: Can We Save the Yamuna? Sustainable Management: Innovative Solutions Experts are of the opinion that tackling Yamuna pollution needs to be done in several ways. It is, for this reason, very essential to have in place adequate and sustainable management plans, effective sewage planning, and an assurance of the minimum biological flow in the river. On the contrary, new in-situ bioremediation technologies such as microbial bioremediation, phytoremediation, engineered wetland systems, and root zone treatment show promising perspectives. In general, they are energy-effective, not so complicated in applications, and can play a complimentary role to conventional methods of treatment. For example, man-made wetlands can function as a natural filter by purifying the water through plants and microorganisms. These root zone treatment systems can be made on riverbanks for filtering wastewater before it reaches the river. This will decrease the level of pollutants in it. A Call to Action The Central Monitoring Committee, reporting to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, followed the implementation of the Action Plan for Delhi very closely and exhorted that all efforts should be completed at the earliest. It is tons about the gravity of the issue that the Supreme Court Suo Moto Writ Petition on repair of contaminated waterways has arisen. There is a growing realisation that conserving the Yamuna would require collaborative efforts of all stakeholders-government agencies, industry, and the general people. The Central Monitoring Committee has emphasized the need for periodic monitoring, proper enforcement of environmental legislation, and committed participation of industry in pollution control works. There is also an appeal for greater public awareness and community participation in river protection projects. The revival process of the Yamuna is tough. With sustained effort and innovative solutions, this once clear river is expected to regain health to serve as a lifeline for millions. Resources: 1. Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) Reports - January 2021 Report on Sewage Treatment Capacity in Delhi - July 2024 Report on Pollution Levels in the Yamuna River 2. Central Pollution Control Board - CPCB Guidelines 3. Study Group report River-Yamuna 4. CSR Initiatives 5. Ministry of Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment 6. National Green Tribunal - NGT Orders

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