Efforts on to make Yamuna navigable in Delhi, says Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: Emphasising the need for creating public awareness for 'Clean-Yamuna campaign', Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari today said efforts are underway to make the river navigable in Delhi.

Chairing a meeting here for rejuvenation of Yamuna River, "Gadkari asked representatives of the Delhi Government to explore the possibility of constructing navigational barrages in Delhi stretch of Yamuna to augment the flow of the river as suggested by Central Water Commission in one of their earlier Reports", says an official statement.

The project also entails "augmenting the water capacity by recharging four-five big lakes which are close to the river and connecting/channelising their flow into the river."

Gadkari also stressed that a sense of involvement and community participation for the development of river front should be inculcated among the masses.

"Among the issues discussed were: To make sufficient water flow/discharge available in the river throughout the year. The issue of treatment of sewage and industrial waste in Delhi before discharging into the river for augmenting its water level," the statement said.

The officials also discussed undertaking development and beautification of the river banks in an ecologically sound and environment sensitive manner.

The Delhi Government also has a plan for taking up a pilot project around the "Signature Bridge" presently under construction in the city to improve the water flow in the stretch by dredging and installing an "inflatable rubber weir" to hold back enough water (two to three metres) during the lean season for navigation purposes throughout the year, it said.

It was also proposed that the project should be made self- sustaining through disposal/auction of dredged material for construction purposes.

Similarly, it was suggested that the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) being constructed by Delhi administration may be implemented where ever feasible.

Another proposal put forward for consideration was to provide the treated water from the STPs to the users on chargeable basis thus generating some revenue for the river rejuvenation project.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry, Delhi Government, and representatives/experts from IIT- Delhi, TERI, WAPCOS, RITES and some prominent international companies.