Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Delhi approves project to keep Yamuna sewage-free -21/07/2010-

21/07/2010

Delhi approves project to keep Yamuna sewage-free

New Delhi: The Delhi cabinet Tuesday approved a Rs.1,358 crore Yamuna Interceptor Sewer Project to contain pollution levels in the river.



Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that under the project, 59 km of sewers along three major drains of the river and seven pumping stations will be laid to intercept and convey waste water flows to the sewage treatment plants so that only the treated effluent is discharged into the Yamuna.


"The project will go a long way in improvement of water quality. And it is not a distant dream now," she said.

According to an official, the project has received clearance from all stakeholders, including the central cabinet and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) among others.


"Completion of the project will facilitate overcoming the problem of pollution in the river, hygiene of residents of Delhi, development of the riverfront and improving the tourism potential," the official said.

Interceptors will be laid along three major drains - Najafgarh, supplementary and Shahdara - which account for about 70 percent of the total pollution in the river.


"Out of Rs.1,357.71 crore, 35 percent will be released under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and 65 percent will be contributed by Delhi Government and DJB," the officil added.

The Yamuna enters Delhi near Palla, traverses about 48 km and exits at Okhla. The 22-km-long stretch from Wazirabad Barrage to Okhla is polluted by the discharge of sewage from 18 main drains that fall into the river.

Source: IANS

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