Written by Harikishan SharmaNew Delhi | November 17, 2025 05:42 PM IST 3 min readDescribing the Yamuna as a “polluted drain filled with filth and garbage,” the BJP had pledged to clean the river in its manifesto for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. (File Photo)The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved a proposal for bringing treated sewage water into the Yamuna River from the Coronation Pillar Sewage Treatment Plant in New Delhi. The Mission, which comes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is the nodal body responsible for the abatement of pollution in the Ganga and its tributaries.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOIn a statement, the ministry said, “The EC (Executive Committee) approved the Conveyance of Treated Sewage from Coronation Pillar STP to the River Yamuna. The proposal aims to ensure the safe and efficient conveyance of treated sewage…thereby improving the river’s water quality and supporting the ongoing efforts of the Yamuna Action Plan.”“The project includes key components such as tapping of untreated sewage from the Jahangirpuri drain, construction of new pumping stations, laying of rising mains and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) channels, creation of truss bridges for drain crossings, and conveyance infrastructure for treated effluent,” the statement added.The move is part of the government’s efforts to increase the environmental flow (e-flow) of the river. This was one of the items on the 30-point action plan drawn up by the government earlier this year to clean the Yamuna. The plan was formulated following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 16 to review the Yamuna clean-up efforts and address Delhi’s drinking water concerns.Of the 30 Action points, two focus on increasing the e-flow of the Yamuna within Delhi and further downstream. The plan proposed discharging 773 million litres per day (8.95 cumecs) of treated water from the Coronation Pillar and Yamuna Vihar sewage treatment plants (STPs) into the river downstream of Wazirabad by September 2026. A dedicated conveyance system will be developed for this purpose.Additionally, an extra 6.23 cumecs of treated water from the Okhla STP (capacity: 563 MLD) will be released downstream of the Okhla barrage via the Yamuna canal, partially improving the river’s flow.BJP’s pledge to clean YamunaDescribing the Yamuna as a “polluted drain filled with filth and garbage,” the BJP had pledged to clean the river in its manifesto for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party’s governance—referred to as “AAP-DA”—the BJP claimed that despite spending Rs 8,500 crore, the AAP had failed to clean the Yamuna.Story continues below this adThe NMCG’s EC also approved the ‘Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna’ initiative at a cost of Rs 39.37 lakh in a bid to sensitise over 2.5 lakh youths across at least 200 schools in Delhi–NCR, fostering awareness and responsibility towards river conservation.“The programme envisions the formation of River Youth Clubs, encourages positive behavioural changes among youth regarding water usage, and enhances Namami Gange outreach,” the Jal Shakti Ministry’s statement said, adding that the project will be completed in six months.Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:yamuna