Delhi Jal Board clears Rs 917 crore upgrade for major sewage plants to cut Yamuna pollution

Yamuna pollution: With an aim to reduce pollution in the Yamuna River, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday approved the upgradation projects of three major sewage treatment plants (STPs) worth over Rs 917 crore in the national capital.

This move came following the 173rd board meeting chaired by Delhi water minister Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma.

According to a statement released by the DJB, in its board meeting, the augmentation and upgradation of the Yamuna Vihar Phase-III STP from 25 million gallons per day (MGD) to 40 MGD, and the construction of a new 15 MGD STP at Yamuna Vihar Phase-IV, have been approved.

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“The project, which includes 12 years of operation and maintenance, will be executed at a total cost of Rs 403 crore. Once completed, it will enhance the capacity by 30 MGD and meet the latest standards prescribed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT),” it said.

“Similarly, the Board cleared the upgradation and capacity augmentation of the Keshopur Phase-I STP from 12 to 18 MGD, along with 11 years of comprehensive operation and maintenance, at a cost of Rs 133.33 crore. The project will add six MGD to the plant’s capacity while adhering to DPCC and NGT norms,” it read.

“The third project approved is the augmentation and upgradation of multiple STPs — Vasant Kunj Phase-I (2.2 to 3.2 MGD), Vasant Kunj Phase-II (3 to 4.5 MGD), Ghitorni (5 to 7.5 MGD), Mehrauli (5 to 7.5 MGD) and Okhla Phase-V (16 to 24 MGD). The Rs 381 crore project includes 12 years of operation and maintenance and will increase the combined capacity by 15.5 MGD while ensuring compliance with the latest pollution control standards,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Yamuna River’s 22-km stretch through Delhi accounts for just 2% of its total length yet contributes nearly 80% of the pollution, primarily from major drains such as Najafgarh and Shahdara.

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In 2025, the Delhi government introduced the ‘Yamuna Master Plan’, aiming to clean the river by 2027 through a four-stage approach, including desilting, waste removal, and drain cleaning, along with projects to promote eco-tourism. The 2025–26 budget earmarked Rs 500 crore for Yamuna cleanup, Rs 500 crore for STP upgrades, and Rs 250 crore for replacing outdated sewer lines.