Mythological Importance Of
Yamuna
Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun God ,
sister of Yama , the God of death
is one of the most sacred rivers of India.
Yamuna’s Origin
The river originates from the Yamunotri glacier in
the Mussorie range of the lower Himalayas,
it meanders through the states of Haryana,
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and covers a distance
of about 1370 kms before merging with
the river Ganga at Allahabad
Plight Of Yamuna In Delhi
The most polluted stretch of the river is the 22 km
length of Yamuna from Wazirabad barrage to
Okhla, as 18 major drains enter the river in this
stretch.These drains carry both treated and untreated
effluent besides solid waste, industrial effluent etc.
The BOD level of water at Nizamuddin is known to cross
30 mg/l when the acceptable limit is only 1 mg/l.
Yamuna is crying for oxygen –who
is listening?
SOME FACTS
•Delhi generates 3,300 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage,
against an installed wastewater treatment capacity of 2,200 MLD.
Thus, 1100 MLD of untreated and a significant amount of partially
treated sewage enter the river every day.
•Almost 55% of drinking water in Delhi comes from River Yamuna.
Also 70% of Delhi’s untreated waste is drained into the Yamuna.
•Traces of isomers carcinogenic organic chlorine have been found in
Indian rivers, including the Yamuna (CSE, 2005).
•Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic etc. (which are toxic in very low
concentrations) are found 10 times more than the requirement of
Flora and Fauna which causes metabolic anomalies.
•Based on the laboratory analysis, it is found that the concentration
of Ammonia has a growing trend since 1998 to 2007 in all the
selected locations.
!! ALARMING FACT !!
According to a report on "Identification of Mutagenic Particles in
River bed of Yamuna“, during the last 20 years
•The BODvalueincreased to 100 %
•TC Valueincreased to 4000 %
•FC Valueincreased to 3000 %
Through an extensive library research it s
found that the high concentrations of Xenobiotics from urban and
industrial wastes have contributed to the contamination of aquatic
environments. These substances could be potentially mutagenicand
could be directly and/or indirectly accumulated by the
aquatic organisms causing DNA damage.
CAUSES
•Garbage Dumping: The river is taken to be an
outsized dustbin. All sorts of organic, metallic
waste including polythene bags is dumped
into it.
•Ash Scattering: Following cremation the
collected ashes and the mortal remains are
scattered in the river.
•Murti Immersion: In many of our festivals like
Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Pujan etc ultimately
murti is immersed in the river. This increase
the sludge and toxic material in the Yamuna
river.
•Dhobi Ghat: The waste water including large
quantities of soap, detergents, chemicals
discharged from the sites eventually drain into
the river.
•River banks as public toilets: Slum-dwellers
throng river banks for morning ablution,
defecation, washing, bathing.
•Untreated sewage: Every day nearly 3296
million litres of sewage finds its way into river
Yamuna.
Delhi Gate Drain JJ Clusters along the
Drain
Disposal of offerings into
Yamuna
Causes Of Pollution Of River
Yamuna
Elephants taking bath
in Yamuna
Animal carcasses at the
bank of river Yamuna
Cleaning clothes at the
cost of clean water
Garbage in Yamuna
River
Dead body disposal in
Yamuna
Restoring The River
•Role of citizens
•Role of NGO’s
•Role of GOI
•Role of GNCT
•Role of MCD
•Ongoing programmes
Yamuna Action Plan
Taking note of mounting pollution in Yamuna, National
River Conservation Directorate, GOI launched YAP with a
dual approach:
Implementing schemes that improve the quality
of water in Yamuna
Up scaling of people’s awareness & participation
in river protection activities
Schemes implemented under YAP I
1. Community Toilet Complexes
2. Procurement of Sewer Cleaning Equipment
3. Electric Crematorium(Lodhi Road)
4. Public Participation and Awareness Programme
5. Disinfection Plant –UV(Ultra-Voilet) 2mld
6. Sewage Treatment Plants
7. Electric Crematorium(Sarai Kale Khan)
Implemented Under YAP
Rs. 680 Croreswork has been completed by YAP I
1. Community Toilet Complexes
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction
Date
Specified
Completi
on Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
14996.00 13991.00 20/08/01 31/03/02 90.73 68.69
STATISTICS OF YAP I
2. A few of Micro STPs have been approved
3.Procurement of Sewer Cleaning Equipment
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction
Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
289.00 284.64 03/08/01 31/12/02 79.15 100
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction
Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
145.66 120.73 20/11/01 31/03/02 46.72 63.50
4.Electric Crematorium (Lodhi Road)
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Rev.
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
120.00 178.43 07/09/01 31/03/02 100 100
5.Disinfection Plant –UV 2mld
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
42.66 48.33 (R) 02/08/01 28/02/02 57.11 100
6.Public Participation and Awareness Programme
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanction
Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
216.00 215.55 13/07/01 31/03/02 37.63 50.13
7. Electric Crematorium (Sarai Kale Khan)
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
261.47 414.07(R) 12/8/96 31/08/97 95.22 100
Scheme
Approved
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sanctioned
Cost (In
Lakhs)
Sancti
on
Date
Specified
Completion
Date
Financial
Progress
(In %)
Physical
Progress
(In %)
10 MLD STP
(S.N.H)
1343.62
607.39
03/05
/95
30/06/97 103.82 100
10 MLD STP
(Delhi Gate)
706.26 30/06/97 101.42 100
8. Sewage Treatment Plants
DelhihasspentRs1500croreon
cleaningtheYamunatill2006.Or,Rs85
croreperkminthe22-kmstretchof
theriverasitpassesthroughthecity.
Butinspiteofthismassiveinvestment,
theriverYamuna runsdirtier.
According to CSE Press Release, 2007
BUTTHEMISSIONSHALLNOTBE
ACCOMPLISHED UNTILWE
‘THEPEOPLEOFINDIA’TAKE
ITASAMISSION,TORESTORE
NOTONLYYAMUNABUTALLTHE
R I V E R S OF INDIA