DJB aims at limiting pollution in Najafgarh drain to rejuvinate Yamuna

New Delhi: In a structured push to rejuvenate the Yamuna, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has adopted a decentralised, data-driven strategy to limit pollutants in the 52-km-long Najafgarh drain, one of the largest contributors of waste draining into the river.

The move marks a significant shift in the approach of authorities, with officials emphasising that restoring the Yamuna’s health requires targeted, micro-level interventions rather than broad, centralised efforts.

To that end, DJB has drawn up a two-year roadmap to ensure that untreated waste is prevented from entering Najafgarh drain. As part of the plan, the entire stretch of the drain has been divided into 22 segments, each assigned to dedicated teams, aligned broadly with assembly constituencies. These teams will monitor pollution levels at both inlet and outlet points every month, enabling precise tracking of contamination sources.

“The idea is to treat riverine pollution scientifically and locally. If pollution rises within a stretch, we know exactly where the problem lies. If it goes down, we know the intervention is working,” a senior DJB official said.

At the heart of this strategy is the monitoring of key indicators, such as biological oxygen demand, which reflects the level of organic pollution in water. A spike in its levels triggers a probe into sources like untreated sewage, industrial discharge or waste from dairies — all of which continue to burden the Yamuna. Officials said that plugging these pollution sources is critical to restoring the river’s ecological balance.

Efforts are underway to connect unsewered households to Delhi’s sewer network, a step expected to significantly reduce the inflow of untreated waste into Najafgarh drain. Tenders for this work have been floated in multiple stretches.

Simultaneously, DJB is working with Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to address the treatment of waste from dairies, particularly cow dung, which substantially increases organic pollution. Plans include setting up biogas plants and promoting composting to prevent this waste from entering the drains that feed the river.

Also, the flood control department has been tasked with cleaning the major drains, with most of the work set to be completed within the year.

Describing the river’s revival as a “multi-sectoral and phase-wise challenge,” govt officials said that while smaller interventions are already underway, large-scale infrastructure upgrades, including the expansion of sewage-treatment plants, will take time to deliver visible results.