New Delhi: Delhi govt will roll out 43 Delhi Jal Board projects worth Rs 8,941.2 crore on Oct 22, focusing on sewage treatment, sewer network expansion and water supply infrastructure to prevent untreated waste from entering Yamuna.Union home minister Amit Shah will inaugurate 10 projects worth Rs 2,827.1 crore and lay the foundation stones for 33 projects costing Rs 6,114.1 crore, water minister Parvesh Verma said Monday.The projects include a new 124MGD sewage treatment plant (STP) at Okhla, to be built at a cost of Rs 1,161 crore, and the upgrade of eight STPs for Rs 1,041 crore. The upgrades will increase their combined treatment capacity from 78.2MGD to 140.8MGD, benefiting 78.5 lakh people.In outer Delhi, 29 decentralised sewage treatment plants and sewage pumping stations will be developed at a cost of Rs 3,113.7 crore. These will cover 358 unauthorised colonies and 113 villages, benefiting 36.3 lakh residents.Another major component is a 1,034km sewer network costing Rs 1,691 crore, expected to benefit 25.8 lakh people. The package also includes a 477MLD water treatment plant at Chandrawal, estimated to cost Rs 298.3 crore. It will replace plants built in 1935 and 1955 and serve 22 lakh people. A 4.5km trunk drain in Mundka, costing Rs 225 crore, is also part of the package.“Cleaning the ghats shows our intent. Stopping sewage from reaching the river is the permanent solution. Every drop of sewage will be collected, treated and reused,” Verma said.The announcement came a day after more than 35,000 people participated in the Chalo Yamuna campaign, cleaning 70 locations along both banks of the river. According to Verma, 76,755kg of municipal solid waste was removed during the drive.In a separate initiative to encourage people to develop a personal connection with the river, the minister announced plans to build huts along Yamuna’s banks where Delhiites can celebrate their birthdays.“I appeal to every Delhiite to celebrate your birthday with Mother Yamuna. I will celebrate mine there on Nov 7. When people bring their happiest moments to the river, they will never let it be dirty again,” he said, adding that the cleanliness campaign is the beginning of a sustained movement to protect Yamuna.
