Yamuna Cleanup: The politics surrounding the Yamuna River cleanup are still going strong even after the assembly elections were done and a new BJP administration was formed in Delhi. Transparency issues have surfaced, despite the administration’s promises of improvement via cooperation with the federal government and neighboring states. The November 2025 report has not yet been made public by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which normally publishes monthly pollution statistics for the river, drains, and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
Vacuum in Data and Inconsistency
The opposition and academics have criticized the lack of data.
Missing Reports: Despite the fact that two reports were published in October, no information on the Yamuna or the drains that run into it has been made public for November.
STP Data Gap: Although updated facilities were inaugurated in October, no STP performance report has been published since September.
October Fluctuations: Because of floods, pollution levels had drastically dropped during the monsoon, but they started to rise once again in the first part of October.
The administration was attacked by the opposition when the October 9 report revealed significant levels of pollution.
October 20 Report: During Chhath, this report revealed lower pollution levels, which were ascribed to more water being released from Haryana’s Hathnikund Barrage.
Position of the Government: “Significant Improvement”
Citing the statistics from October 20, Delhi’s Water Minister Pravesh Verma has responded to criticism from the opposition by asserting that the Yamuna’s condition has improved in comparison to prior years.
20 lakh tons of silt have been cleaned from drains that feed into the river, according to the Minister.
Collaborative Approach: To address the situation, the new administration emphasizes a concerted effort with the federal government and nearby states.
Although Delhi has 37 STPs, several of them have not worked well in the past. Upgrade work is now underway after a 2015 NGT order that was initially intended to be completed by December 2017.
Phases 2 and 3 of Kesopur
Phase 4: Kondli
Rohini Coronation Pillar (First, Second, and Third Phases)
Phase 2: Narela Yamana Vihar
Rithala (Phase-2), Pappankalan, and Nilothi were already finished in Najafgarh.
Okhla (Phase-5), Ghitorni, Vasant Kunj, Yamuna Vihar (Phases 1 and 3), and Kesopur (Phase-1) are pending (Target: December 2026).
The absence of consistent evidence has caused environmentalists to voice their severe disapproval.
Earth Warriors’ Pankaj Kumar emphasized the need of openness and the necessity of providing the public with frequent information on pollution levels.
According to BS Rawat (SANDRP), the DPCC has to improve reporting, enhance testing parameters, and provide data on a regular basis.
DPCC Internal Issue: Dr. Anil Gupta, a member of the DPCC, promised to bring up the missing reports at the next committee meeting. Notably, the committee hasn’t met since July.
