Delhi's Yamuna Cleanup Gears Up: Asia's Largest STP Set for Trial Run

After multiple delays, Delhi's largest sewage treatment plant (STP) is ready for trial runs, commencing around Diwali. This significant initiative is aimed at cleaning up the Yamuna river, one of India's most polluted water bodies.

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After multiple delays, Delhi's largest sewage treatment plant (STP) is ready for trial runs, commencing around Diwali. This significant initiative is aimed at cleaning up the Yamuna river, one of India's most polluted water bodies.

The Okhla sewage treatment plant, boasting a massive capacity of 564 million liters per day (MLD), is not only the largest in India but one of the most substantial sewage treatment facilities in Asia. It was initially expected to be operational by December 2023, with a later deadline extension to July of the same year.

According to G Asok Kumar, the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), construction and setup of the plant are now completed, and water inflow into the STP will commence by November 15. This will divert a significant amount of dirty water from entering the Yamuna river, thus initiating a positive change in its water quality by December.

The Okhla STP is a pivotal project in the mission to restore the Yamuna river's health. It is expected to release treated water into the river starting in November. However, it may take a few weeks to stabilize completely. Further steps, including sludge treatment and biogas generation, are anticipated to begin by March of the following year.

The polluted state of the Yamuna river is most evident during the festive season in November, when toxic foam blankets its surface, adversely affecting the environment and the devotees who visit. The NMCG is determined to tackle this problem by upgrading existing STPs and implementing new ones.

Two additional STPs, Rithala and Kundli, with capacities of 182 MLD and 204 MLD, respectively, have already commenced trial runs. The 318 MLD Coronation Pillar Sewage Treatment Plant was completed last year.

In total, 12 projects under Namami Gange have been initiated to treat over 1,200 MLD of sewage in Delhi, with a focus on reducing pollution in the Yamuna river. The Hindon river, a major tributary, has also been identified as a priority area for restoration.

The NMCG has launched an online dashboard called PRAYAG to monitor the performance of over 100 STPs in Yamuna and Ganga in real-time. It ensures they adhere to water quality standards and meet the required norms.

While some STPs do not meet the revised water quality standards as of September 2023, efforts are underway to upgrade and align them with the new norms. The goal is to ensure that by 2025, the entire Ganga system, including the Yamuna, experiences a substantial improvement in water quality.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had revised water quality standards in 2019, specifying that the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) should be below 10 mg/L. Efforts are now being made to encourage the Delhi Jal Board to upgrade existing STPs, while new STPs are being sanctioned with higher BOD:TSS standards of less than 5 mg/L.

The commencement of the Okhla sewage treatment plant's trial run is a significant step toward achieving a cleaner Yamuna and a healthier ecosystem. It marks a pivotal moment in the quest to rejuvenate this vital waterway, demonstrating a dedicated commitment to environmental restoration.