Yamuna water quality is safe? Read how many sites failed

A parliamentary panel has raised alarm over the deteriorating water quality of the Yamuna River in Delhi, revealing that its capacity to sustain life is nearly nonexistent. The report from the Standing Committee on Water Resources, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, highlighted that 23 out of 33 monitored sites, including six within Delhi, failed to meet basic water quality standards.

The Yamuna River flows through a 40 km stretch in Delhi, entering the city at Palla from Haryana and exiting at Asgarpur into Uttar Pradesh. The report specifically pointed to the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which are a key indicator of the river’s ability to support aquatic life, stating that these levels were almost absent in the Delhi stretch.

Despite efforts to address the issue, including the construction and upgrading of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, pollution levels continue to be alarmingly high. The committee expressed concern that these measures have not been sufficient to reverse the damage to the river’s ecosystem.

In response, the committee has called for a unified approach from all stakeholders—government bodies, local authorities, and environmental agencies—to tackle the escalating pollution. It emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to restore the river’s health and improve water quality.

The panel’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing environmental crisis facing the Yamuna River, and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address pollution and protect this vital water source.

PTI