Rs 22,000-Crore Government Plan Targets Yamuna Cleanup And Delhi Air Pollution
Massive funding plan targets Yamuna cleanup and Delhi air pollution crisis.
The Delhi government has unveiled an ambitious ₹22,000-crore plan aimed at tackling the twin challenges of pollution in the Yamuna river and deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The initiative forms a key part of the city’s broader “green budget” strategy for 2026–27, which places environmental concerns at the centre of policy planning.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s government has earmarked over ₹22,000 crore for environmental measures, targeting improvements in water quality, air pollution control, and urban sustainability. The allocation represents a significant share of the overall budget and signals a shift towards long-term ecological restoration and pollution mitigation.
A major component of the plan focuses on cleaning the Yamuna, one of India’s most polluted rivers within Delhi. Authorities aim to expand sewage treatment capacity, ensuring that untreated wastewater does not flow into the river. Current treatment capacity is expected to nearly double to around 1,500 million gallons per day through new plants and upgrades, alongside decentralised treatment systems near major drains.
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The government is also prioritising interventions such as in-situ wastewater treatment, drain management, and removal of solid waste from the river. These steps are designed to address the primary sources of pollution, including untreated sewage and industrial discharge, which heavily impact a small stretch of the Yamuna passing through Delhi.
In parallel, the plan includes measures to combat air pollution, such as road redevelopment to reduce dust, expansion of electric mobility, and large-scale tree plantation drives. Investments will also support waste processing infrastructure and improved public transport systems to curb vehicular emissions, a major contributor to Delhi’s poor air quality.
The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over both water and air pollution in the capital, especially during peak seasons when conditions worsen significantly. While previous efforts have faced challenges in execution, officials say the scale of funding and focus on integrated solutions could mark a turning point in addressing Delhi’s environmental crisis.
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