The central government is going forward with the detailed plan under the ‘Clean-Yamuna Campaign’ envisaging the augmentation of the water capacity by recharging the five big lakes which are close to the river and connecting/channelizing their flow into the river.
Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping has said that stringent norms would be enforced for treating sewage and installing advanced and efficient sewage treatment plants to stop flow of toxins into Yamuna.
The Delhi Government, too is going to spend Rs5,300 crore on the Yamuna Action Plan. The Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model is going to be adopted for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) being constructed by Delhi administration.
For the beautification and development of the riverfront, the slums may be cleared. The removal of slums and huts would be needed for developing the Ghats of Yamuna.
- One umbrella approach for Varanasi facelift
To facelift the Ganga & city Varanasi, One Umbrella Approach (OUA) has just been launched to execute the plans effectively as a number of government departments and agencies are linked to it. OUA will facilitate inter-departmental coordination. Sudhir Krishna, the Union Urban Development Secretary said that advanced technology would be applied in Varanasi for solid waste disposal and recycling of waste water to help in preventing river pollution. Integrated approach will be used for the purpose of solid waste management disposal.
- “Signature bridge” to rejuvenate Yamuna
Close on the heels of the Modi Government at the Centre announcing rejuvenation plan for the Yamuna, a pilot project around the “Signature Bridge” (SB) in New Delhi has been prepared to improve the water flow in the river. The SB is presently under construction to improve and augment the water flow in the stretch by dredging and installing an “inflatable rubber weir” to hold back enough water during the lean season to provide 2-3 metres depth for navigation purposes throughout the year. Gadkari told the media persons that the Delhi government has been asked to explore the possibility of constructing navigational barrages in Delhi stretch of Yamuna to augment the flow of the river.
- Canada offers its expertise
The Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh said the collaboration between India and Canada in the area of river cleaning would open up a new vista in relationship between the two nations. After his meeting with Canadian high Commissioner Stewart Beck that Canada has volunteered to offer its river cleaning technology for cleansing the waters of Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers. Canada has ultra-modern technology in the area of water purification and river cleaning. An action plan has been drawn up for Indo-Canadian collaboration in the areas of bio- technology, health, environment, energy, food security, nano- technology ccience, communication and Industrial R&D.