Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced an Rs 1,500-crore initiative to clean the Yamuna River and enhance the state's sewage infrastructure. The plan involves constructing 40 decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs), modernising existing STPs, and investing in advanced machinery to tackle pollution.

To prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Yamuna, the Delhi government will establish 40 decentralised STPs at a cost of Rs 500 crore. These will treat wastewater at the source before it enters major drains, significantly reducing pollution levels. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for upgrading existing STPs to boost their operational capacity. “The Yamuna is not just a river; it is our cultural and historical heritage. Cleaning Yamuna is an important part of our manifesto and remains a top priority in this budget,” CM stated in her Budget speech.

The government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for repairing and developing sewage treatment plants, Rs 250 crore for replacing old sewer lines, and another Rs 250 crore for improving water treatment plants citywide. Strengthening sewage management further, Rs 20 crore will be spent on acquiring machines for sludge and blockage removal. An additional Rs 10 crore is dedicated to renovating the Wazirabad trunk sewer.

To curb untreated wastewater from entering the Yamuna, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for a drain-tapping project that will divert and treat wastewater from major drains. The Najafgarh Drain, a major contributor to Yamuna’s pollution, will undergo a Rs 200 crore transformation, focusing on conversion and interception. Moreover, Rs 40 crore has been allocated for purchasing modern cleaning equipment, including trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredge utility machines, ensuring sustained river maintenance.