Context: Plan in motion to tap Ganga water to Clean Yamuna in Delhi

Source: The Hindu

The government is completing a plan to increase the Yamuna’s water flow by rerouting Ganga River water from the Upper Ganga Canal into the Yamuna in an effort to clean the national capital’s river.

According to the existing plan, the largest Ganga Canal, the UGC, which flows through western Uttar Pradesh, will have to divert an additional 380 million gallons of water per day into the Yamuna. As compensation for any possible harm, the Center is also thinking of providing U.P. with more funding for its irrigation.

The idea calls for directing water from the UGC into the Eastern Yamuna Canal, which also passes through Uttar Pradesh, as the UGC does not directly connect to the Yamuna or cross Delhi. It would then be rerouted via the current infrastructure into the Yamuna.

The diversion of Ganga water is considered a temporary solution. Building three dams in the upper sections of the Yamuna is the long-term fix. After these dams are finished, excess water from the monsoon season can be kept and released during the lean season to keep the river flowing as it should.

Model Question:

Despite several initiatives, the Yamuna River remains heavily polluted. Critically examine the challenges in cleaning the Yamuna and suggest measures to make river rejuvenation efforts more effective.

Model Answer:

The Yamuna River, a major tributary of the Ganga, holds immense cultural, economic, and ecological significance. Despite being the focus of multiple action plans and significant public funding, it remains one of the most polluted rivers in India, especially in the Delhi stretch.

Challenges in Cleaning the Yamuna:

1. Untreated Sewage Discharge: Over 75% of pollution comes from untreated or partially treated sewage. Many drains carry domestic and industrial waste directly into the river.
2. Poor Sewage Infrastructure: The existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are either non-functional or underutilized due to poor sewer connectivity.
3. Encroachments and Unauthorized Colonies: Many settlements along the floodplains have no sewage connections, leading to direct discharge.
4. Industrial Effluents: Small-scale industries discharge toxic waste, often bypassing treatment due to weak enforcement.
5. Lack of Coordination: Multiple agencies at the central, state, and municipal levels result in overlapping responsibilities and ineffective execution.
6. Public Apathy and Lack of Awareness: People continue to dump solid waste, religious offerings, and plastic into the river.

Way Forward:

1. Decentralized Wastewater Treatment: Promote small, modular STPs near sources of pollution for real-time treatment.
2. Strict Enforcement of Environmental Laws: Penalize violators and ensure real-time monitoring of effluents.
3. Riverfront Development with Ecological Restoration: Reclaim and protect the floodplains while maintaining natural vegetation.
4. Public Participation and Awareness Campaigns: Involve citizens, resident welfare associations, and schools in the movement.
5. Unified River Authority: Establish a single accountable authority for river rejuvenation with inter-agency coordination.
6. Use of Technology: Implement GIS mapping, IoT sensors, and drone surveillance for monitoring pollution sources.

Cleaning the Yamuna is not just an environmental imperative but a moral and developmental responsibility. A shift from infrastructure-focused to people-centric, holistic, and ecologically sensitive approaches is crucial for meaningful rejuvenation.