In a major push towards Yamuna rejuvenation and improving Delhi’s water infrastructure, the Delhi Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved a series of projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore aimed at strengthening sewage treatment, groundwater recharge and water supply systems across the capital.
The biggest component of the plan includes the construction of 12 new Decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (DSTPs) in the Najafgarh region under the Centre’s AMRUT scheme at an estimated cost of around Rs 860 crore. These plants will together treat 46.5 MGD of sewage and are expected to benefit over 121 unauthorised colonies, 35 villages and nearly seven lakh residents.
According to the government, a 17 MGD DSTP will be developed at Mitraon, while additional plants will come up at Kair, Kanganheri, Kakrola, Dichaon Kalan, Galibpur, Sarangpur, Shikarpur, Hasanpur, Jaffarpur, Kazipur and Khera Dabar. Officials said the projects are aimed at preventing untreated sewage from entering the Najafgarh Drain and ultimately reducing pollution in the Yamuna River.
“Building a Clean, Green and Water Secure Capital Is Our Priority,” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said.
The government has also approved the upgradation and expansion of Phase-I of the Keshopur Sewage Treatment Plant from 12 MGD to 18 MGD at a cost of around Rs 122 crore. The project will include an 11-year operation and maintenance component and is expected to improve the quality of treated water while promoting the use of recycled water.
Highlighting the government’s focus on water conservation, the CM said the Delhi Jal Board will undertake construction of new rainwater harvesting structures and restore existing ones across departments to improve groundwater levels in the city. For effective implementation, four groundwater experts and ten rainwater harvesting social mobilisers will also be appointed.
In East Delhi, the government has approved the rehabilitation of a major trunk sewer line from Amichand Chowk to the Old Kalyanpuri Sewage Pumping Station in Trilokpuri at a cost of nearly Rs 57 crore. The sewer line, which is over four decades old, has witnessed repeated cave ins and technical failures in recent years.
Additionally, a new underground reservoir with a capacity of 0.72 MGD along with a booster pumping station will be established in Rohtas Nagar in Shahdara Assembly constituency at an estimated cost of around Rs 27 crore to strengthen local water supply.
Gupta said, “The Delhi Government’s priority is to ensure that every available resource in the capital is utilised for public welfare and development.” She added that Delhi would set “an exemplary benchmark for the country in the fields of water management, sewage treatment, rainwater harvesting and Yamuna rejuvenation” under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
