Nod for project to cut waste flow into Yamuna (Hindu 22 July 2010)

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet has given its approval for the Rs.1,358-crore Yamuna interceptor sewer project that seeks to cut pollution in the river.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit explained after the Cabinet meeting that under the project 59 km of interceptor sewers would be constructed along three major drains and seven pumping stations will be set up to intercept and carry the waste water to the sewage treatment plants so that treated effluent is discharged into the Yamuna.
The project has received all clearances. An agreement has been signed between the Delhi Jal Board and Engineers India Limited. The interceptor will be laid along three major drains -- Najafgarh, supplementary and Shahdara -- which together account for about 70 per cent of the discharge into the Yamuna.
Field investigations, feasibility report, project report and land allotment work have been completed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Delhi Development Authority.
As for finances, it was stated that of the total cost of Rs.1357.71 crore, 35 per cent of the capital expenditure or Rs.475.20 crore would be released by the Union Urban Development Ministry under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission while 65 per cent will be contributed by the Delhi Government. Besides, HUDCO has in principle sanctioned a loan of Rs.800 crore for the project.
The project assumes significance as waste from Delhi is responsible for polluting the Yamuna in a big way. The river enters Delhi near Palla, traverses about 48 km and leaves the Capital at Okhla. The 22-km stretch from Wazirabad barrage to Okhla is the most polluted stretch due to discharge of sewage from 18 main drains in this section.