Interceptor sewer project launched to protect Yamuna

The work has been started with the laying of interceptor at Nihal Vihar area near Peera Garhi Chowk.

Present on the occasion, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said: “It is expected that both major drains and Yamuna will become pollution free within next couple of years. The quality of river will improve from 41 ppm (parts per million) to 12 ppm and the quality will further improve at down stream. Due to purification, the treated effluent will be utilised for non-potable purposes.”

The CM said the project would go a long way in improving river water quality between Wazirabad and Okhla, a stretch of 12 km.

The work under the interceptor sewer project has been awarded to three different agencies for completing it in a time-bound manner. A 59 km long deep sewer at the depth of 20-60 feet and sizes varying from 600 mm to 24 mm diameter would be laid along the three major drains to intercept sewage flowing from subsidiary small drains and take it to the nearest Sewage Treatment Pants to ensure that only treated sewage is discharged. The project would cost Rs 1,978 crore.

The river traverse about 48 km in the city and goes along Okhla. The major causes of pollution are dumping of solid waste and garbage, entry of untreated waste water, addition of industrial effluent, litter, plastic, polythene and other pollutants.

“This project...will ensure protection of the river and the major drains from any untreated effluent. The sewage from unauthorised colonies and other unsewered areas including rural village and JJ clusters will be trapped before it is permitted to reach major drains and ensure that the three major drains — Najafgarh, supplementary and Shahdara, receive only treated effluent,” Dikshit said.

The three drains account for 75 per cent of the pollution problem.   

The Chief Minister exhorted all stakeholders to work in tandem and ensure completion of their responsibilities assigned under the interceptor sewer project. The MCD and Irrigation and Flood Control Department would prevent dumping of garbage in drains and river, besides desilting and fencing of drains. The DDA has also been assigned a specific assignment of making the river banks squatter free.