Yamuna Pollution: Illegal factories pollute river amid civic apathy

Yamuna Pollution: Hundreds of illegal, polluting industries are allegedly operating in Delhi’s Ghonda, Ram Nagar, and Yamuna Vihar, discharging chemical effluents into local drains. These wastewaters are overwhelming the Yamuna Vihar Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Phase III and eventually polluting the Yamuna River. Despite repeated complaints, the administration has failed to act.

This inaction stands in stark contrast to the Delhi government’s claims of rejuvenating the Yamuna, which it calls the lifeline of the Capital.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) recently released its June 2025 analysis report of the Yamuna Vihar Phase-III STP. It found that the treated sewage does not meet the prescribed standards for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Fecal Coliform. The outlet samples recorded TSS at 21 mg/l, BOD at 20 mg/l, and Fecal Coliform at 920 MPN/100ml—well above the permissible limits of 10 mg/l for TSS and BOD and 230 MPN/100ml for coliform.

A senior DPCC official said the committee had been writing to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for three months, urging inspections and action against polluting units in the area. “We have not received any response from the officials of the civic body, raising questions about their commitment to Delhi’s residents,” he told Patriot.

He said letters were sent on May 28 and July 2, seeking joint inspections and strict action against these industries. “But sadly, no response has been received. These units continue to operate freely and pose serious environmental and public health risks,” he added.

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Patriot has accessed the July 2 letter from DPCC to the Deputy Commissioner of MCD (Shahdara North), which referenced multiple earlier communications from Delhi Jal Board (DJB) stating that untreated industrial effluent was entering the sewage system via Ghonda, Ram Nagar, and Yamuna Vihar sewage pumping stations.

Repeated reminders, no action

“The effluent test report indicates that industries from nearby areas are discharging their waste into local drains, which reaches the STP and disrupts treatment,” the letter noted. It called for immediate steps to stop this discharge and requested a joint inspection, referring to a similar request made on May 28. “However, the Action Taken Report is still awaited,” the letter stated.

It also cited a Supreme Court order dated May 7, 2004, mandating closure or relocation of all industrial units operating illegally in residential or non-conforming areas in Delhi. Several high-level meetings since then, including ones chaired by the Chief Secretary of Delhi, had reiterated the need for strict enforcement under the Delhi Development Act.

The DPCC stressed that enforcement actions should include disconnection of electricity and water supply, to be implemented by the DMCs Industries Department, DISCOMs, and DJB. Yet, despite repeated letters, no communication has been received from MCD.

When contacted by Patriot, MCD officials declined to comment.

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Experts question political will

Environmentalists have sharply criticised the civic body’s “failure to act, alleging collusion between officials and illegal industrial operators.

“Will the government ever be able to clean the Yamuna with such shallow efforts?” asked environmentalist Varun Gulati. He said the government promises of cleaning the Yamuna have remained cosmetic. “The on-ground situation is unchanged. At this rate, the Yamuna cannot be cleaned even in the next 20 years.”

Gulati said initiatives like boat rides, proposals to bring Ganga water from Uttar Pradesh, and new STPs are not real solutions. “These announcements only show the government lacks a serious roadmap.”

He called for identifying and sealing all illegal units and imposing steep environmental penalties. “Only then will polluters think twice before operating in the city,” he added.