Yamuna pollution: Lethal cocktail of toxins and government apathy

As the Yamuna River enters Delhi from Haryana, its water quality meets the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, once inside the national capital, the river turns increasingly toxic due to the unchecked disposal of untreated wastewater, say environmentalists.

Rising ammonia levels linked to sewage and industrial waste

Environmental experts highlight that the surge in ammonia levels is closely linked to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and faecal coliform contamination. Ammonia is a byproduct of organic waste breakdown, and its presence increases as BOD rises. A higher BOD indicates a heavy load of organic pollutants, which fuels bacterial activity, further elevating ammonia levels.

“Besides BOD, the excessive presence of faecal coliform in the Yamuna signals contamination by human and animal waste, compounding organic pollution and ammonia formation,” environmentalists explained.

Shocking pollution surge: DPCC reports reveal alarming trends

Monthly reports from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) paint a grim picture of the Yamuna’s worsening health. The December 2024 report revealed that at Palla barrage—where the river enters Delhi—the BOD level stood at 4 mg/L. However, by the time it exited the capital at Asgarpur barrage and entered Uttar Pradesh, the BOD level had skyrocketed to 70 mg/L, reflecting a staggering 1,650% increase.

Faecal coliform contamination showed an even more disturbing trend. At Palla barrage, levels were measured at 1,200 MPN/100ml, well within the permissible limit. However, at Asgarpur barrage, this spiked to 8,400,000 MPN/100ml, an alarming 699,900% increase.

Similar findings were recorded in November 2024. The BOD level rose from 3 mg/L at Palla barrage to 54 mg/L at Asgarpur barrage, marking a 1,700% increase. Likewise, faecal coliform contamination escalated from 1,100 MPN/100ml to 7,900,000 MPN/100ml, surging by 718,081%.

Despite these concerning trends, the DPCC has yet to release the January 2025 report.

Is Haryana poisoning Delhi’s water?

As public outrage mounts over rising ammonia levels, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused Haryana of releasing toxic water into the Yamuna. However, environmentalists dismiss these allegations as baseless.

Speaking to Patriot, environmentalist Pankaj Kumar refuted AAP’s claims, stating, “The significant rise in ammonia levels is largely due to two factors—faecal coliform contamination and industrial waste discharge.”

He elaborated, “Untreated sewage from households and drains introduces high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, indicating the presence of human and animal waste, which fuels organic pollution and ammonia formation. Additionally, industries along the river release chemical-laden wastewater, often without proper treatment, worsening contamination.”

Kumar pointed to DPCC reports that revealed major deficiencies in Delhi’s sewage treatment system. Out of the 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the capital, most are failing to meet CPCB standards, allowing untreated water to flow directly into the Yamuna.

According to the DPCC report, STPs at Coronation Pillar (70 MGD), Delhi Gate (Old), Keshopur (New), SEN Nursing Home, Nilothi (40 MGD), Pappankalan (Old and New), Kapasahera, Yamuna Vihar (Ph-I, Ph-II, and Ph-III), Mehrauli, Vasant Kunj, Molarband (Mini STP), and Ghitorni are failing to meet prescribed standards.

Meanwhile, a 12 MGD STP in Okhla is completely non-functional, allowing wastewater with a BOD level of 175, TSS level of 268, and COD level of 292 to be directly discharged into the river. However, two other Okhla STPs remain shut, leaving only a 16 MGD plant operational.

Can pollution be curbed?

Outlining a potential solution, Kumar stressed the need for proper sewage treatment before wastewater is discharged into the river.

“If we ensure that wastewater is treated to a standard of 10 BOD and 10 TSS before being released, the pollution will no longer be visible. The key to solving Yamuna’s crisis lies in the strict implementation of sewage treatment policies,” he said.

Also Read: Delhi: Why fishermen, farmers are likely to vote for a cleaner Yamuna

“Without robust monitoring, efficient STPs, and responsible waste management, the pollution will continue to rise, endangering aquatic life and public health. Effective implementation is not an option—it is the only way to save the Yamuna,” Kumar added.

Political slugfest: AAP vs BJP over Yamuna pollution

The worsening state of the Yamuna has triggered a political storm in Delhi. AAP national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has blamed the BJP-led Haryana government for allegedly poisoning the river.

“The people of Delhi rely on water from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The BJP-led Haryana government has poisoned the Yamuna. The Delhi Jal Board acted promptly to prevent this contaminated water from entering Delhi, or it could have caused a mass disaster,” Kejriwal said.

However, Delhi Jal Board Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Shilpa Shinde dismissed Kejriwal’s accusations as “factually incorrect, baseless, and misleading,” warning that such claims could harm interstate relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hit back at Kejriwal’s allegations. Speaking at an election rally in Kartar Nagar, Delhi, he said, “A former CM of Delhi has made disgusting accusations against the people of Haryana. Are the people of Haryana any different from those in Delhi? Don’t their relatives also live in Delhi? The water sent by Haryana is consumed by everyone in Delhi, including the Prime Minister himself.”

Efforts to clean the Yamuna have been ongoing for decades, but tangible progress remains elusive. The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP), launched in the early 1990s, was one of the first major initiatives to tackle pollution. Under Sheila Dikshit’s tenure (1998-2013), several STPs were set up, but they struggled to manage Delhi’s growing sewage load.

When the AAP government came to power in 2014, it promised to clean the Yamuna within a few years. During the 2015 election campaign, Kejriwal vowed that by 2020, the river would be clean enough for people to take a dip in it. Again, in 2020, he reiterated the same promise, urging voters to “not vote for him in 2025” if the Yamuna remained polluted.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has also repeatedly blamed the AAP government for not cleaning up the Yamuna. The rejuvenation of the river has been a point of contention between the AAP government and the LG, with both sides exchanging criticisms.

In January 2023, the National Green Tribunal formed a high-level committee to tackle pollution in the Yamuna. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena was made its chairperson. The tribunal had asked the committee to hold weekly meetings to hold weekly meetings for six months. Newslaundry reported that weekly meetings were not held. According to an RTI query filed by Newslaundry, the panel held 10 meetings between January 2023 and August 2024. However, LG Saxena attended only five, the last one being in June 2023.

In April, 2023, Saxena set a deadline of June 30 to clean the river. However, nothing much changed on the ground. “River Yamuna will be cleaned in Delhi by June 30. I have no objection if any minister wants to take credit for our work,” Saxena had said.

Despite assurances from various authorities, pollution levels have only worsened.  Even as the Assembly Election is over, the Yamuna’s fate remains uncertain. While political parties trade blame, the river continues to choke under the weight of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and empty promises.