New Delhi: The central government informed the Rajya Sabha that the Delhi Jal Board has spent approximately Rs 5,536 crore over the past three financial years on initiatives aimed at improving the condition of the Yamuna River. The river enters Delhi at Palla, where the Central Pollution Control Board monitors its quality through the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
According to CPCB data, median Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Dissolved Oxygen levels at Palla between January and July 2025 were recorded at 4 mg/l and 6 mg/l. The DPCC reported further improvement during its September 2025 monitoring, noting a BOD level of 2.5 mg/l and DO of 9.5 mg/l, figures that fall within prescribed healthy limits.
Despite these indicators, the river continues to face major pollution challenges. The primary cause remains the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage. As of August 2025, the sewage treatment gap in Delhi stood at 414 million litres per day. Additional issues include the absence of effluent treatment facilities in several approved industrial areas, along with delays in completing or upgrading sewage treatment infrastructure.
Solid waste management also contributes significantly to the problem. The city generates nearly 11,862 tonnes of waste every day, but existing facilities can process only 7,641 tonnes, leaving a shortfall of more than 4,200 tonnes that often ends up polluting the environment.
To support states in reducing pollution levels in the Yamuna, the National Mission for Clean Ganga is providing financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Under the Namami Gange Programme, thirty five projects worth Rs 6,534 crore have been sanctioned for the Yamuna’s rejuvenation, aimed at creating 2,243 million litres per day of sewage treatment capacity. Twenty one of these projects have been completed.
The details were shared by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Upper House.
