New Delhi: To reduce pollution in the Yamuna, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that untreated water, including industrial and domestic sewage, will not be allowed to flow into the river.
Speaking on the occasion of first Yamuna Aarti, organised by the Delhi government here at Gita Ghat, close to Kudesia Ghat, near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), he said: "Discharge of all effluents into the river shall be monitored round the clock. Untreated water, including industrial and domestic sewage, will not be allowed to enter Yamuna."
Cultural performances like dance, music and an all-religion prayer by singers, preachers and the leaders of each major faith in India were organised on the occasion.
He said Yamuna Aarti would now be held daily at Gita Ghat. The Yamuna will see massive celebrations on special festivals, to be aided by the Delhi Government.
Stating that the Yamuna river has been part of the collective memory of Delhi for a long time but this lifeline is dying, Kejriwal said: "We will ensure 100 percent collection and treatment of Delhi's sewage through an extensive sewer network and construction of new sewage treatment plants."
He also made a public appeal to connect with the river and help in keeping it clean.
"People should ensure their personal commitment to clean it (Yamuna). Let's take a pledge today to clean our river Yamuna and ensure that we never make it dirty."
Water Minister Kapil Mishra, who was also present on the occasion, said the government was committed to clean Yamuna in 36 months.
He emphasized the need for decentralized sewage treatment system to clean the Yamuna.
"Waste water generated from an area will be treated locally and could be used for non-potable use and revival of water bodies. This would prevent sewage flowing into drains leading to Yamuna and reduce dependency on fresh water," Mishra said.
The Yamuna originates at Yamunotri in the Himalayan range. It flows a total of 1,376 km before merging with the Ganga at Allahabad -- to form the holy Triveni.
The river passes through Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. It is considered relatively clean until it reaches Delhi where a combination of municipal, household and industrial waste begin to choke and kill the river.
