Yamuna Revival in Delhi: Cleaning Technology & Methods

1.

What is the origin of Yamuna river?

• The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier near Bandarpoonch Peak in the Mussoorie range of the Lower Himalayas.

• This glacier is situated at an altitude of approximately 6,387 meters in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India.
• The Yamuna River begins its journey from this glacier, marking the source of one of India’s most significant rivers.
• The Yamuna River flows along states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana and enters Delhi and merges with the Ganga near Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj.

2.

What is the Significance of River Yamuna?

"The Yamuna is not just a river; it's a lifeline weaving through the fabric of Indian civilization."

Significance	Analysis
Religious Significance	Yamuna is worshipped in Hinduism as the ‘Goddess Yamuna’ and as per Hindu mythology is the daughter of the Sun and sister of the Yama the ‘God of Death’. It is common practice for people to bathe in the sacred waters to rid oneself of sins and the last rites of the dead are also performed at its banks. The Yamuna is considered a river of heaven. The Yamuna is associated with Krishna and Balarama, and events like the divine pastimes in Vrindavan. The Yamuna is a center of pilgrimage for Krishna devotees. Many Hindus make an annual pilgrimage to the Yamuna to wash away their sins and to bring health and prosperity.
Socioeconomic Significance	It helps create the highly fertile alluvial Yamuna- in the Indo-Gangetic plain. Nearly 57 million people depend on the Yamuna’s waters. With an annual flow of about 10,000 cubic billion metres, the river accounts for more than 70% of Delhi’s water supply.
Tourism	Important pilgrimage centers like Yamunotri, Ponta Mathura, Vrindavan, and Prayagraj and tourism centers like Delhi, Agra are located on the banks of the river Yamuna, making it a center of pilgrimage and tourism.

4.

What are various segments of the Yamuna River?

Diagrammatic presentation of the segments of the Yamuna River

5.

Enlist various usages of the Yamuna River?

• The Yamuna River sustains all forms of life along its banks and various social and commercial activities depend on it.
• It is the major source of drinking water to millions of Indiansand has multiple other uses.
• The Yamuna Basin is of great economic significance due to its fertility and high productivity, particularly many parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
• Some well-designated uses of the water of the Yamuna River are as follows:
• Drinking water
• Bathing water
• Irrigation
• Livestock use
• Industrial use
• Navigation
• Aesthetics
• Recreation and
• Religious and Cultural
• The availability water of the Yamuna River varies greatly with time and space with 80% of the water flowing in it in the Monsoon period (July, August and September) whereas whatever water is available in it in the non-monsoon period (October to June) is widely used for irrigation and drinking, leaving very little water in the river to flow .
• Along its course, the water of Yamuna River is abstracted for a variety of purposes such as about 94% for irrigation, 4% for domestic use, and 2% for the industries.
• The river water is extensively abstracted at Hathnikund/Tajewala and Okhla barrages.

6.

What are the main sources of Yamuna Pollution?

• The Yamuna River is one of the most contaminated rivers of India.
• Untreated or partially treated domestic sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural effluents are the major contributors of pollution in the river.
• The cities alongside the Yamuna River release loads of contaminants in it.
• Due to its religious, cultural, social and economic significance the Yamuna River flows in the hearts of many Indians, but unfortunately like many other riverine systems of the country, it too is affected by the setbacks of industrialization, urbanization and rapid agricultural developments.
• Studies reported that due to industrialisation in the towns along the Yamuna River basin, all the industrial effluent finds its way into it.
• It has also been reported that the tributaries of the Yamuna River also transferred their pollution load into it.
• Water is consumed for different activities which generate a lot of wastewater causing deterioration of water quality of Yamuna River.
• Various point and nonpoint sources contribute to the contamination of the Yamuna River.

Sources	Analysis
Point Sources	Point sources are organized sources of pollution with measurable pollution load (CPCB 2008). These sources include surface drains carrying municipal sewage or industrial wastes, sewage pumping stations etc.
Untreated Sewage	More than 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage is pumped in the Yamuna each day. Another 44 million litres of industrial effluents are also discharged daily into the river. Sewage that is treated before being released into the river accounts for only 35% of the total estimated sewage discharge. According to the Central Pollution Board, the water contains a concentration of 1.1 billion fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. The standard for bathing is 500 coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters. Although Sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been constructed in various parts of Delhi, the treated, or partially treated sewage from these STPs is continuously being discharged directly or through the carrier drains into the river.
Najafgarh drain	One major source of pollution is the Najafgarh drain, which carries industrial waste, sewage, and other pollutants into the river. The drain was originally a natural rain-fed river, bringing a huge amount of water though mostly contaminated into the Yamuna.
Domestic pollution	Domestic pollution accounts for 85% of the pollution in the Yamuna River and is sourced to the major cities along the river (CPCB 2010). These cities include Delhi, Ghaziabad, MathuraVrindavan, Agra, Etawah, Panipat, Sonepat and Prayagraj. The domestic waste majorly comprises organic matter and microorganisms, salts, detergents, nutrients, oil and grease and others.
Industrial pollution	A number of towns along the Yamuna River have numerous industries that discharge their waste water into the Yamuna. According to the CPCB (2009) report ―the industries include textile, chemical, pharmaceuticals, oil refineries, sugar, paper and pulp Leather, thermal power, fertilizers, food industries, etc. were set up in many cities. Many of these have poor environment management systems and discharge untreated or partially treated wastewater containing toxic and organic effluents into the river, thus contributing to the degradation of water quality.
Non Point Sources	Non-point sources are the numerous diffused and unspecified sources of pollution and are nonmeasurable as the amount of pollution generated by each source is less. These include the organic matter, residues of plants, topsoil, microbes, toxicants etc. (CPCB 2009). Such sources are influenced by the land-use patterns in the overall watershed and include sources from both the natural processes and the anthropogenic inputs. The chief non-point pollution sources are: Agricultural runoffs Dumping of solid waste, dead bodies, animal carcasses etc.
Industrial heavy metal contamination	The catchment area of River Yamuna in Delhi is highly urbanized and is networked with several drains. Najafgarh and Shahdara drains are the major drains that discharge a heavy load of pollutants into the river. Rapid urbanization and population growth resulting in industrialization pose a major threat of heavy metal pollution for nearby water bodies. The water quality monitoring of River Yamuna has indicated a significant presence of several heavy metals in its water. Among the heavy metals investigated in the River Yamuna water, Iron (Fe) was found to be most abundant and even exceeding the limit.
Idol Immersion leading to increased toxicity	Immersion of idols during festivals with cheap lead and chrome paints and plaster of paris and puja articles such as polythene bags, foam cutouts, flowers, food offerings, decorations, metal polish, plastic sheets, cosmetic items all are a cause for concern for the river’s quality. Post-immersion, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the level of heavy metals such as chromium and iron increased significantly. Chromium increased 11 times from the permissible limit of 0.05mg/L, while iron concentration increased 71 times from the 0.3 mg/L limit. If the water is not treated, it will increase the chance of toxins entering the food chain through vegetables grown on the floodplains. The toxicity of heavy metals can damage the brain, lungs, kidney, liver, other vital organs functions and alter blood composition.
Plastic Pollution	In Agra, the Yamuna has been choked by intense plastic pollution. After the 2017 ban on single-use plastics, there has still been rampant use of plastics which is evident by the production of plastic. According to records, Delhi produces 2,51,674 tonnes of plastic each year 50% of which is single-use. That’s roughly 63,000 elephants worth of plastic. Along the river, anything from flip-flops to paper products lay in piles every few feet and a lot of plastic bags, even recyclable ones, end up in the river. Dr Anil Kumar, director at the state environment department, said plastics enter the river mostly through open drains in which people dispose of their waste.

7.

Enlist some alarming facts about the rising level of pollution in Yamuna?

Facts	Analysis
Dissolved oxygen (DO)	Wazirabad is the point where Yamuna enters the city. At this point, its dissolved oxygen (DO) content is 7.5 milligrammes per litre. At its point of exit from city limits, the DO level is only 1.3 mg/l.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)	The Yamuna River entering Delhi at Palla exhibits a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of around 2 mg/l, but this level significantly increases to 85 mg/l at Asgarpur, where it exits the city, indicating a substantial rise in water pollution. Data collected over a 10-year period by the Central Water Commission through its 371 monitoring stations across the country shows that Yamuna has the highest level of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentration when it passes through Delhi.
Sewers	A total of 55 percent of the city's 15 million people are connected to the city's sewer system and its treatment plants, but because of corrosion and clogging in the system, many treatment plants do not run at full capacity. Because of this, waste from 1500 unplanned neighborhoods runs straight into the river.
Drains	A total of 18 drains of Delhi, whose water flows into the Yamuna, create 80 percent pollution in the river.

8.

Why is there froth in the Yamuna river?

9.

What is the Yamuna Action Plan and enlist various phases of its implementation?

• It is one of the largest river restoration projects in India which is a bilateral project between the Government of India and Japan.
• It is being executed by the National River Conservation Directorate and the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Government of India.
• The project is divided into 3 parts:

Plans and Projects	Analysis
Yamuna Action Plan I (YAP I) – 1993 – 2002,	The plans were carried out by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), Ministry of Environment in collaboration with various State Department.
2002 – 2003 (Extended Phase)	The plan focused on two types of actions which are Sewerage and non-sewerage facilities. Sewerage: Construction of 29 STPs 58 pumping stations and 179 km of sewers was proposed. Non-sewerage: 1282 public toilet complexes, 96 crematoria, Riverfront development, plantation and public awareness and participation were proposed. A study on river pollution to estimate future pollution loads of the river Yamuna from different sources. The total sewage treatment capacity created under YAP I was 750MLD.
Yamuna Action Plan II (YAP II) – 2004 – 2011	YAP II was mostly to undertake non-sewerage part of the objectives. The total STP capacity sanctioned under YAP II was 189 MLD. The total budget sanctioned: INR. 6.24 billion. There was an emphasis on Public Participation & Awareness, Public Relations and Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building of MCD. Various Pilot projects included Dairy Farm Waste Management, Dhobighat Sudhar Yojna, Slaughterhouse Modernisation and Waste Management, Antim Niwas Sudhar Yojna and Slum Rehabilitation Study.
Yamuna Action Plan Phase III – 2018 onwards	11 Projects under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have been planned to conserve River Yamuna in Delhi including rehabilitation of sewers, rehabilitation of Rising mains, Tertiary Treatment Plants and Sewerage projects in four packages of Kondli (K1, K2, K3, K4), three packages of Rithala (R1, R2, R3) and Okhla Zone (O).

10.

What is Yamuna Purification Drive, 2018?

• Organized by the Public Health Department and covers 15 towns including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Yamuna Nagar, Karnal, Panipat, and Sonepat.
• Its objectives are to control the discharge of raw sewage into the river.
• Initiative that has been done are:
• Eleven treatment plants are being installed along the 83-kmlong sewer line.
• A treatment plant that can treat 30 million liters a day has been installed in Gurgaon which will help reduce the level of pollution from 200 mg a liter to 30 mg a liter, before it enters the Yamuna.
• A 5.8-km-long sewer line has been laid in the city to collect the polluted water at the treatment plant.

11.

Enlist various community initiatives wrt River Yamuna?

Initiatives	Analysis
Yamuna Foundation for Blue Water Inc.	Started in 2000 and the objective is to clean the pollution in the Yamuna River throughout its course and to create a better ecosystem in New Delhi. On World Water Day, 2010, local team members, students, and activists in Agra, Hyderabad, and Delhi, India, along with Wuhan, China led several watershed cleanup projects.
‘Maa Shri Yamuna Seva Samiti’ or Friends of Yamuna	Volunteer group started by newspaper hawker Ashok Upadhyay to do his bit in protecting the river from further pollution.

12.

Mention recent initiatives taken to clean Yamuna river?

• The cleaning of the Yamuna River, a major issue during the Delhi Assembly elections, has officially commenced following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landslide victory.
• The Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) office confirmed the initiation of the project, which aims to restore the river’s health.
• According to the LG office, work on cleaning the Yamuna has already begun, with specialized machines such as trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and a dredge utility craft being deployed in the river.
• The ambitious project, which aims to clean the river within three years, will require coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation & Flood Control Department (I&FC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Environment Department.

The LG office outlined a four-phase strategy to ensure the river is cleaned efficiently:

13.

Mention about various river cleaning methods?

Methods	Analysis
Proper Sewage Management	Sewage is one of the main sources of pollution in the Yamuna River and untreated or partially treated sewage effluents are still being discharged into the river. It calls for a total ban on such discharges and effective legislation on it. The capacity of existing sewage treatment plants STPs should be increased and more sewage treatment plants of greater capacity should be constructed. New technologies to reduce the BOD levels to below 10 mg/L should be implemented. The water authorities of Delhi are already in progress with an innovative master sewage plan 2031 for sewered and unsewered areas to effectively manage the wastewater system of the National Capital Territory.
Effective Solid Waste Management	Due to rapid urbanization along the Yamuna River a lot of solid waste is being generated everyday, adding to the pollution load on the river due to lack of proper solid waste management and disposal system. Most of the towns and cities need proper and adequate solid waste management systems and recycle and reuse units for effective waste management. New landfill sites are required for proper disposal of the ever increasing solid waste. These should be designed on the WHO standards. Since waste reduction and waste reuse and recycling are good methods of waste prevention as they not only eliminate the production of waste at its source of generation but also reduces the demand for waste treatment and disposal facilities. Keeping this in view, the public should be made aware and encouraged to use various ways of waste reduction in everyday life. Any developmental activity within the river zone should be restricted.
Communitybased approach to address water related problems	This can be done by the joint venture of publicprivate organizations. The role of local institutions such as the Panchayats should be increased. Active community participation is the need of the hour for monitoring, management and restoration of the Yamuna River. Involvement of the public in program design helps ensure the smooth running of the programs (EPA, 1995).
Role of science and technology	New techniques should be used to develop suitable technologies to manage solid waste such as encouraging the emergence and development of industrial ecology where there is no such thing as waste but only resources. Where waste from one activity is input of raw materials for another activity. Such technologies will pave way for integrated waste management (IWM) which is best defined as a set of management alternatives, including reuse, source reduction, recycling, composting, landfill and incineration and pyrolysis a good and Eco friendly alternative to incineration for the thermal decomposition of solid wastes in an inert atmosphere
Improved agricultural practices	The unscientific use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides in agriculture has significantly contributed to pollution in the Yamuna River. The agricultural practices need to be improved to minimize the effects of the chemicals. This can be done by some of the following ways: Employing organic or biological farming methods and prohibiting the use of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers for agriculture in the river basin. Creating awareness among the farmers to avail facilities of programs like Kisan Call Centre run by the ministry of agriculture for solving all their agriculture related queries including scientific guidance on the use of chemical fertilizers in cultivation, easily accessible through phones and mobiles; Emphasizing the use of bio-fertilizers which have least chemical constituents. Efforts should be made to reduce and prevent soil erosion in the river catchment area through vegetation cover. A suggested way is the development of Greenways along the drains. These are severe for many other purposes, contributing to the conservation of the river.
Constructive Interactions	Interactions among consumers, policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives are needed to share their experiences and ideas about water quality management and propose sustainable and cost-effective solutions. There is also a need for continued interaction among scientists with different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge bases to find solutions to the challenges of water availability, quality, and remediation and to explore ways for chemical, physical and biological solutions for dealing with waterrelated problems. Lessons should be learnt from the success stories of the Rhine river (Europe), Thames river (England), Seine river (France) Mississippi river (USA), etc. for planning the cleanup action for the Yamuna River.

14.

Mention a few river cleaning techniques?

Techniques	Analysis
The Great Bubble Barrier	Bubble Barriers capture plastic in waterways with bubbles. A bubble curtain is created by pumping air through a perforated tube on the bottom of the waterway. The bubble curtain creates an upward current which directs the plastics to the surface. By placing the Bubble Barrier diagonally in the river, the natural flow will push the plastic waste to the side and into the catchment system.
Drainage nets	The Australian city of Kwinana has designed a simple and cost-effective solution to deal with the discharge of waste from drainage systems. The town has put nets on the outlet of drainage pipes. These nets stop waste and pollutants from leaving the sewers, preventing garbage transported by rain waters from contaminating the town’s local water reserve. It is a simple filtering system and it works like a charm.
The Canal Cleaner	"The Canal Cleaner" refers to machines or tools used to remove sediment, debris, and vegetation from canals, which are human-made waterways used for irrigation, transportation, and other purposes. A recent project in Thiruvananthapuram, India, involved cleaning the tunnel part of the Amayizhanjan Canal.
Bolina Booms	Bolina Booms are floating barriers, primarily used for marine safety, security, and environmental protection in inland waterways, dams, and critical infrastructure, with a focus on debris containment, watercraft safety, and oil spill containment.

15.

How can civil engineering in India help in cleaning rivers?

• From creating efficient water management systems to designing sustainable infrastructure, civil engineers are helping to reduce the impact of water scarcity and ensure access to clean water for all.
• Civil engineers in India can play a crucial role in cleaning and restoring rivers like the Yamuna, Ganga through a variety of approaches and strategies:

Aspects	Analysis
Infrastructure Development	Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs): Design and implement efficient wastewater treatment facilities to treat sewage before it enters the river. This includes both large-scale municipal plants and decentralized systems. Sewage Systems: Improve existing sewage systems to prevent leaks and overflows, ensuring that wastewater is properly directed to treatment facilities.
Riverbank Management	Erosion Control: Design structures such as gabions, retaining walls, and vegetation barriers to prevent erosion of riverbanks, which can lead to sedimentation and pollution. Reforestation and Green Buffers: Implement projects to plant trees and create green buffers along riverbanks to enhance water quality and biodiversity.
Pollution Control Measures	Monitoring Systems: Develop and install water quality monitoring systems to track pollution levels and sources, helping to target interventions more effectively. Solid Waste Management: Create systems for managing solid waste in urban areas that drain into rivers, including recycling programs and public awareness campaigns.

16.

Mentions various sustainable solutions wrt River Yamuna?

• Creating a project that balances the social, environmental, and economic interests of a community is important to achieve sustainability. When a project is planned in consideration of all these aspects, it will create a long-lasting program that benefits everyone.

Levels	Solutions
What can be done at the administration level	Develop more public toilets and crematoria to reduce the sewage waste into the river. Educational programs to increase awareness encouraging people to use biodegradable paints for painting idols and stop dumping wastes in the rivers is needed. Stringent Implementation of regulation for industries and hospitals not to dump waste in the river Upgradation of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) that don’t comply with standards. Integration of water management by linking the private sector, local communities and NGOs to ensure an effective and efficient allocation and use of water for all. New strategies for the existing water treatment such as automated river quality monitoring. Develop parks with fountains or grassy lands, pools, plantations, etc., along the riverbanks to provide opportunities for water to undergo artificial aeration that leads to self-purification of the river. Full and participatory environmental impact assessments should be ensured for all projects.
What can be done at the Community Level	The locals can report ground results and activities on a regular basis to help authorities keep check on the effluent disposal by the industries. Train and educate people about ensuring proper maintenance of the sewage system and waste disposal methods. Create a waste management system that can help the community make a livelihood for themselves in the form of recycling and upcycling the wastes. Apply rainwater harvesting to meet water requirements throughout the year that is uncontaminated for domestic and other needs. Improving the community’s literacy rate (taken as a proxy for awareness). A study has shown that a significant positive relationship is found between the rate of increase in literacy level in a district and the water quality in rivers flowing through the district. Communities can use more environmentally friendly idols alternatives that use organic materials.

17.

What is the global status of river pollution?

18.

Enlist a few best practices?

Kham river restoration project:

• Rising in the Jatwada hills near the city, the 65-km Kham river flows through Aurangabad before it meets the Nathsagar water body near the Nadikathche Gaon.
• Leakage from sewage systems, indiscriminate encroachment and dumping of solid waste has reduced the once seasonal river into a perennial flow of garbage
• For years, the Kham River had been reduced to little more than a dirty, foul-smelling drain, a far cry from the lifeline it once was.
• Choked by pollution, plastic waste, and unchecked encroachments, the river was a stark reminder of what happens when urban expansion comes at the cost of nature.
• But where most saw an irreversible disaster, one man saw an opportunity for transformation.
• That man was 2011 batch IAS officer Astik Kumar Pandey who is now serving as Commissioner & CEO, ESIS, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• With his leadership, the Kham River Restoration Project was launched, a project that would go on to become a model of sustainable development, community participation, and administrative willpower.
• The restoration project was divided into multiple phases, each targeting a critical issue plaguing the river.

Phases of river restoration	Analysis
Phase 1: Cleaning the Riverbed	The first phase involved clearing out the heaps of plastic, debris, and silt that had accumulated over the years. Hundreds of volunteers, along with municipal workers, rolled up their sleeves and stepped into the filthy waters. The scene was overwhelming where piles of garbage, discarded furniture, rusting vehicles, and even animal carcasses. It was an arduous, backbreaking task, but no one gave up.
Phase 2: Stopping the Pollutants entering the river	The second phase focused on stopping the flow of untreated sewage and industrial waste. This required setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) and ensuring industries adhered to waste disposal regulations. Municipal officials, in collaboration with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, cracked down on illegal dumping.
Phase 3: Reviving the Ecosystem	Once the river was cleaned and pollution controlled, the focus shifted to restoring its natural ecosystem. Native plant species were reintroduced along the banks to prevent soil erosion and improve water retention. Environmentalists and ecologists worked on reviving aquatic life, and reintroducing fish and other species that had vanished due to the toxicity of the waters. Additionally, afforestation drives were launched, with thousands of trees planted along the riverbanks to improve the air and water quality. Walkways, gardens, and public spaces were developed to transform the once-polluted stretch into a green corridor, reconnecting the people with their rivers.

Transforming the Thames river:

• The River Thames, known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London.
• At 215 miles, it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn.

The Cleanup Process:

Process	Analysis
Engineering Projects	Thames Embankments: Land reclamation from the river to create parks and roads, which also helped to increase water flow, aiding in natural cleaning. Thames Tideway Tunnel: A massive 25-kilometer tunnel, designed to divert sewage overflow into treatment plants. Completion is expected by 2025.
Legislative Actions	Sewage Treatment (1976): Legislation mandated that all sewage entering the Thames be treated, preventing untreated waste from polluting the water. Water Quality Standards (1961–1995): Laws were passed over several decades to raise water quality standards, addressing industrial discharge and domestic waste.
Public Awareness Campaigns	Thames Litter Forum: Initiated by the Port of London Authority, this forum brought attention to litter and pollution reduction. Thames Environment Fund: Funded projects aimed at reducing pollution in the river through community involvement and environmental initiatives.
Other Actions	Biotic Monitoring: Initiated by the Port of London Authority, this forum brought attention to litter and pollution reduction. River Clean-Ups: Organizations like Thames21 organized community efforts to physically clean the river and its banks, removing waste and debris.

Current State of the Thames:

• Improved Water Quality:
• Through the combined efforts of engineering, legislation, and public action, the Thames' water quality has dramatically improved.

• Ecological Restoration:
• The Thames is now home to a wide range of wildlife, including salmon, fish, invertebrates, and various bird species, such as herons and cormorants.

• One of the Cleanest City Rivers:
• Today, the Thames is considered one of the cleanest city rivers globally.

What is the relevance of the topic for UPSC CSE?

For Prelims: Yamuna river and its tributaries, River pollution, Dissolved oxygen, BOD.

For Mains:Yamuna river pollution, Floods in Yamuna river.

Some Previous Years Prelims Questions