Delhi Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday inspected the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Okhla and reviewed the ongoing efforts to make the Yamuna river pollution-free.
According to an official statement, the minister, along with senior officials, reviewed the functioning of the CETP, including Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, treatment flow capacity and other operational aspects of the facility.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is making serious efforts towards decentralisation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and CETPs, development of new facilities and modernisation of the existing infrastructure to ensure the flow of clean water into the Yamuna.
Sirsa said that over the past 25 years, previous governments had only made promises regarding the upgradation of CETPs, but no substantial work was carried out on the ground. He said the present government is focusing on strengthening monitoring mechanisms and ensuring efficient operation of the treatment systems so that only fully treated and clean water is discharged into the Yamuna.
The minister said the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute is conducting a detailed technical survey aimed at upgrading the technology of these systems and enhancing their efficiency. He said the real rejuvenation of the Yamuna would be possible only when STPs and CETPs function efficiently at their full capacity.
He said industrial waste is one of the major contributors to pollution in the Yamuna and CETPs play a crucial role in preventing such pollutants from entering the river. Stressing the urgent need for technological modernisation, he said many CETPs are still operating on technologies that are nearly 20 to 25 years old and require regular upgrades to remain effective and relevant.