GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 92
ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024
POLLUTION IN RIVER YAMUNA
92.# DR. BHIM SINGH

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of rivers in the country alongwith details of the rivers into which untreated drain water of municipal areas is getting discharged;
(b) the reasons for polluted Yamuna river in Delhi even after treatment of sewage water;
(c) whether it is a fact that many STPs are not working as per the standard due to which the water of the river Yamuna is not getting cleaned; and
(d) if so, the details of the corrective actions being taken in this regard along with the action ensured
against STP operating companies?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) As per the report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published in 2022, a total of 603 rivers in the country were monitored, and it was found that a total of 311 river stretches of 279 rivers were polluted. The details of the same are available at:
https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvMTQ5OF8xNjcyOTg4MDQ1X21lZGlhcG
hvdG8xMjk5NS5wZGY=
(b) The main reasons for pollution in river Yamuna in Delhi are:
i. Discharge of untreated/ partially treated sewage into river Yamuna. As informed by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Gap in treatment in September, 2024 is 836.9 Million litre per day (MLD);
ii. Absence of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in some approved industrial areas;
iii. Delay in completion of new projects and rehabilitation and/or upgradation of sewage treatment projects.
(c) As per the information received from the DPCC, out of 38 nos of operational STPs only 16 STPs were found meeting the standards prescribed.
(d) The corrective actions are:
i. As per information received from the DPCC, all the operational STPs of DJB are being monitored by DPCC every month & analysis reports are available on the website of DPCC. DPCC issues communication with the DJB to meet prescribed standards on a regular basis.
ii. Delhi Jal Board has informed that each contract has provision of penalty in case of no achievement of guaranteed parameters of treated effluent, etc. and, payment is withheld/recovered time to time for non-compliances. In case the agencies do not respond properly even after repeated communication there is a provision to blacklist/debar from DJB tendering. DJB has taken action on defaulting firms at various sites.
iii. CPCB issued directions dated 12.11.2024 to Delhi Pollution Control Committee under Section 18(1) (B) of the water (prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1974 regarding non-compliance status of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) installed in Delhi.
iv. The Government of NCT of Delhi is working on the following sewage infrastructure enhancement projects: –
a. Rehabilitation of existing 3 STPs at Kondli Phase II, Rithala Phase I, and Yamuna Vihar Phase –II;
b. Upgradation and increasing capacity of existing STPs;
c. Construction of 2 New STPs at Okhla and Sonia Vihar;
d. Various interceptor sewer projects.
v. Under the Namami Gange Programme, to rejuvenate the river Yamuna, 9 projects have been sanctioned in the NCT of Delhi to create 1,268 MLD of sewage treatment capacity at an estimated cost of ₹ 1,951 crores. Eight of these projects have been completed and are operational.
vi. The matter is regularly reviewed in the Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) and High Level Committee (HLC) meeting and necessary directions are issued to the State agencies.