Delhi industrial waste crisis: How lack of treatment plants ail Yamuna, people

Delhi: Despite multiple court orders and government pledges to clean Delhi’s Yamuna River, untreated industrial waste continues to flow directly into its waters, threatening both the environment and public health.

Out of the 33 approved industrial areas in the national capital, only 13 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) have been installed to treat industrial waste. The remaining areas dispose of their waste into stormwater drains, which eventually flow into the Yamuna River, significantly contributing to its pollution.

Additionally, there are 23 redevelopment areas in the city where CETPs were supposed to be installed, as they house over 70% of Delhi’s industries that release effluents. However, not a single CETP has been set up in these localities to date.

According to sources, more than 75,000 industries operate in these redevelopment areas, and without CETPs, they lack any proper mechanism to treat their effluents, which is discharged directly into the Yamuna.

The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government faces an uphill battle in tackling industrial pollution. While the party has been vocal about cleaning the river, the lack of coordination among agencies and the absence of a structured plan to streamline efforts threaten to derail these promises.

Capacity constraints and operational gaps

The 13 operational CETPs in Delhi treat a total of 212 million litres per day (MLD), catering to 17 approved industrial estates and areas. However, industries outside these zones have no option but to dump their waste directly into the stormwater drains.

According to a recent report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the existing CETPs are meeting prescribed standards. These facilities are located in Jhilmil, Badli, Mayapuri, Mangolpuri, Wazirpur, Nangloi, SMA, Okhla, Narela, Bawana, Naraina, GTK, and Lawrence Road.

Delhi has 24 recognised industrial zones, including Jhandewalan Flatted Factory, Shahzada Bagh Industrial Area, Rajasthan Udyog Nagar on GT Karnal Road, and Okhla Industrial Area (Phases I, II, and III), among others.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a total of 28,117 industrial units are operational in Delhi. Of these, 1,516 are classified as water-polluting and have installed captive Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). The total wastewater generation from these industrial estates amounts to 35.98 MLD. However, with only 13 CETPs handling industrial effluents, the city’s infrastructure remains inadequate to tackle the growing problem.

Redevelopment areas left neglected

The 23 redevelopment areas, which lack CETPs despite their industrial density, include Anand Parbat, Sameypur Badli, Dabri, Dilshad Garden, Haiderpur, Hastsal, Jawahar Nagar, Karawal Nagar, Khayala, Libaspur, Mundka, Naresh Park Extension, Nawada, New Mandoli, Peera Garhi, and Rithala, among others.

Speaking to Patriot, environmentalist Varun Gulati highlighted the authorities’ failure to comply with both the Supreme Court’s orders and the Delhi CETPs Act 2000.

“The authorities have turned a blind eye to industrial waste, which has been polluting the Yamuna for decades. It is time to take necessary action before it is too late,” said Gulati.

When Patriot contacted DPCC for a comment, the department declined to respond.

Residents in distress

The residents in redevelopment areas grapple with multiple challenges, including traffic congestion, overflowing industrial effluents, and deteriorating living conditions.

Ashok Kumar, a resident of Mundka, described the dire state of his locality.

“Living near these industries has become unbearable. Trucks start rolling in early in the morning and continue throughout the day, causing massive traffic jams. The noise pollution is relentless, and emergency vehicles often get stuck. Authorities have ignored our plight,” he said.

Manish Batra, a resident of Rithala, echoed similar frustrations.

“The constant traffic caused by industrial trucks is ruining our lives. The honking and heavy vehicle movement make it impossible to concentrate or rest. The dust from the roads has coated our homes, and the vibrations from these trucks have even caused cracks in our walls,” he added.

Others raised concerns over industrial effluent overflowing onto the streets, creating unsanitary living conditions.

“The wastewater from industries stinks and attracts flies and mosquitoes. Stagnant water has become a breeding ground for diseases like dengue and malaria. Children cannot play outside, and authorities refuse to take responsibility,” said Ankush Khurana from Anand Parbat.

Anuj Sharma, a resident of Karawal Nagar, pointed out the severe health risks posed by untreated waste.

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“The industrial waste overflows onto the streets, especially during the rainy season. It mixes with rainwater, causing flooding and making it impossible to walk without stepping into contaminated water. Skin infections and stomach issues have become common. We are suffering, while industries continue to function unchecked,” he lamented.

Health hazards of industrial effluent

Experts warn that direct discharge of industrial effluent into the Yamuna has led to a rise in diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid.

Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, highlighted the long-term risks posed by pollutants in the river.

“With rapid industrialisation, untreated wastewater and toxic chemicals, including heavy metals like iron, chromium, and mercury, are contaminating groundwater. This leads to severe health complications such as liver and kidney toxicity, neurological disorders, and even developmental issues in children,” Dr Gupta said.

“The presence of faecal coliform bacteria increases the risk of waterborne diseases, while chemical pollutants can cause chronic organ damage, immune system suppression, and even cancer,” he added.

What is a CETP?

A Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is a facility designed to treat wastewater from multiple industrial units in a given area. It ensures compliance with environmental regulations by treating harmful chemicals and contaminants before releasing the water back into the environment. Proper CETP infrastructure is crucial for reducing pollution and promoting sustainable industrial practices.

The way forward

With the lack of CETPs in industrial and redevelopment areas exacerbating pollution and public health risks, environmentalists and residents alike demand urgent intervention. The Delhi government must prioritise a coordinated strategy to enforce CETP installation, strengthen pollution control mechanisms, and ensure industries comply with waste treatment norms before the Yamuna’s degradation reaches irreversible levels.

The question remains: Will the authorities act before it’s too late?