New Delhi, 19 October (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 43 projects of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), with a combined investment of Rs 8,941.22 crore, on October 22. The projects include the inauguration of 10 initiatives worth Rs 2,827.11 crore and the foundation-laying of 33 projects valued at Rs 6,114.11 crore.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh shared the details at a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday.

The minister said the projects include a new 124-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) sewage treatment plant (STP) at Okhla, costing Rs 1,161 crore; the upgradation of eight STPs at an estimated cost of Rs 1,041 crore; and 29 new decentralised sewage treatment plants (DSTPs) and sewage pumping stations across Outer Delhi, involving an investment of Rs 3,113.67 crore.

The package also includes the development of a 1,034-kilometre sewer network at a cost of Rs 1,691 crore, a 477-million-litre-per-day (MLD) water treatment plant at Chandrawal worth Rs 298.3 crore, and a 4.5-kilometre-long Mundka trunk drain estimated to cost Rs 225.02 crore.

Singh said preventing sewage from reaching the Yamuna was the only sustainable solution to the river’s pollution problem. He emphasised that every drop of sewage must be collected, treated and reused, describing this as the central commitment underpinning the 43 projects.

The minister also highlighted the public participation witnessed during the “Chalo Yamuna” campaign held on October 18. More than 35,000 citizens took part in a simultaneous clean-up drive at 70 locations along both banks of the Yamuna, stretching from Sur Ghat in Wazirabad and Signature Bridge to Yamuna Bazaar, ITO, Nizamuddin, Sarai Kale Khan and Chilla.

Recalling the public response, Singh said that 35,000 Delhi residents had gathered along the riverbanks on Sunday morning without being compelled to participate. He said they had come voluntarily because they regarded the Yamuna as their mother and believed that serving her required no invitation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar