₹5,536cr spent to keep Yamuna clean in 3 years: Centre
What's the story
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has spent approximately ₹5,536 crore in the last three financial years to maintain the cleanliness of the Yamuna River, according to News18. The information was revealed by the central government to the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The water quality of the river is monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
Monitoring station
Yamuna's water quality monitored at Palla
The CPCB monitors the Yamuna's water quality at Palla, a village in Delhi where the river enters the National Capital Territory. According to data from January to July 2025, the median Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels were recorded at 4 mg/l and 6 mg/l, respectively, which are monitored to assess the river's health.
Improved conditions
Pollution levels improve by September 2025
However, by September 2025, the DPCC reported improved conditions in its Monthly Progress Report submitted to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) with BOD at 2.5 mg/l and DO at 9.5 mg/l. These values fall within the prescribed limits for a healthy river. The main causes of pollution in this stretch include untreated sewage discharge and a lack of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in some industrial areas.
Treatment gap
Sewage treatment gap and solid waste management issues
According to the DPCC, as of August 2025, there was a sewage treatment gap of 414 million liters per day (MLD). The DPCC also highlighted that Delhi generates 11,862 tons per day (TPD) of solid waste but can only treat 7,641 TPD. This leaves a gap of 4,221 TPD in solid waste treatment.
Project funding
Financial assistance and projects under Namami Gange Programme
To support states in controlling Yamuna pollution, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is providing financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Under the Namami Gange Programme, 35 projects worth ₹6,534 crore have been sanctioned for the Yamuna rejuvenation. These projects aim to create 2,243 MLD of sewage treatment plant capacity, and so far, 21 of them have been completed.