The Yamuna River, which is one of the most important rivers in North India, is severely polluted in Delhi. While it originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand as a pristine river, its condition deteriorates drastically upon entering Delhi. Nearly 76% of the pollution in the Yamuna originates from Delhi, despite it flowing for only about 22 km within the city.
Major Polluting Locations in Delhi
The following points are the most heavily polluted stretches of the Yamuna River in Delhi:
Wazirabad Barrage
- Source of Pollution: Upstream pollutants and inadequate water inflow from Haryana.
- Impact: By the time the Yamuna enters Delhi, it already carries pollutants from industrial areas in Haryana. Additionally, the Wazirabad Barrage receives sewage from various unregulated drains.
Najafgarh Drain (Biggest Pollutant)
- Source of Pollution: Domestic sewage, industrial waste, untreated effluents.
- Impact: Contributes up to 60% of the total pollution in Yamuna in Delhi. The Najafgarh drain carries untreated sewage, industrial waste, and solid garbage into the river.
Shahdara Drain
- Source of Pollution: Municipal sewage and solid waste from East Delhi.
- Impact: It is one of the dirtiest drains in Delhi and significantly increases the pollution level.
Barapullah Drain
- Source of Pollution: Construction debris, domestic sewage, and garbage from South Delhi.
- Impact: Although smaller than Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, it still contributes a significant volume of untreated wastewater.
Okhla Barrage (Yamuna Biodiversity Park Area)
- Source of Pollution: High volume of untreated sewage and industrial discharge.
- Impact: The river turns black due to the lack of dissolved oxygen and excessive pollutants.
Kudesia Ghat and ITO Stretch
- Source of Pollution: Religious waste, immersion of idols, and flower offerings.
- Impact: The area is filled with plastic, religious waste, and chemical-laden paints from idols.
Khyber Pass Drain
- Source of Pollution: Domestic and industrial discharge from North Delhi.
- Impact: Contributes chemical-laden effluents into the river.
Rithala Drain
- Source of Pollution: Discharge from unauthorized colonies and industrial units.
- Impact: A major contributor to water contamination in North Delhi.
Core Reasons for Yamuna River Pollution in Delhi
The pollution of the Yamuna River in Delhi is due to multiple factors, mainly arising from untreated sewage, industrial discharge, and lack of fresh water flow.
1. Discharge of Untreated Sewage (Primary Cause)
- Volume: Delhi generates approximately 3,800 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage, but treatment plants can handle only 1,600 MLD.
- Unregulated Sewage: 22 major drains and over 1,400 unauthorized colonies release sewage directly into the river without treatment.
- Key Sources: Najafgarh Drain, Shahdara Drain, and Barapullah Drain contribute nearly 80% of untreated sewage.
2. Low Freshwater Flow
- The Wazirabad Barrage restricts water inflow into Delhi.
- Most of the clean Yamuna water is diverted for drinking and agricultural use before reaching Delhi, leaving behind only polluted water.
- Lack of fresh water worsens pollution because pollutants are not diluted effectively.
3. Industrial Waste Discharge
- Sources: Factories in Wazirpur, Naraina, Anand Parbat, and Okhla industrial areas.
- Waste Type: Heavy metals (lead, mercury), chemicals, and dyes from textile, tanneries, and chemical industries.
- Lack of Regulation: Many industries operate illegally or without proper effluent treatment plants.
4. Religious and Cultural Practices
- Idol immersion during festivals like Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Chhath Puja releases toxic chemicals.
- Ashes, flowers, and plastic waste from religious offerings contribute to solid waste pollution.
5. Encroachments and Urbanization
- Unauthorized construction along the floodplain.
- Dumping of solid waste and debris into the river.
- Slums along the riverbanks release domestic waste directly into the water.
6. Agricultural Runoff
- Fertilizers and pesticides from farms near the riverbanks contribute to chemical contamination.
- Excess nitrates and phosphates lead to algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels in the water.
7. Poor Waste Management and Governance Issues
- Inefficient Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with many not functioning at full capacity.
- Illegal connections of household drains to stormwater drains, which ultimately flow into the Yamuna.
- Lack of accountability among multiple agencies responsible for Yamuna cleanup.
Current Pollution Status
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The acceptable BOD level for bathing water is 3 mg/L, but in Delhi, it reaches 50-90 mg/L.
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Ideal DO for aquatic life is 5 mg/L, but in many parts of Delhi, it is near zero, making it impossible for fish or aquatic life to survive.
- Ammonia Levels: High levels of ammonia (above 3 ppm) make the water toxic for human consumption.
- Coliform Bacteria: The permissible coliform count is 500 per 100 ml, but Yamuna water in Delhi exceeds 1,00,000 per 100 ml, making it highly unsafe.
Conclusion
The Yamuna River in Delhi is in a critical condition due to untreated sewage, industrial pollution, low freshwater inflow, religious waste, and poor governance. The situation demands strict enforcement of pollution control measures, improved sewage treatment capacity, and a sustainable plan to restore fresh water flow. Without immediate intervention, the river may remain ecologically dead in Delhi for years to come.
