Home Minister Amit Shah To Launch Major Yamuna Clean-Up Projects In Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate Asia’s largest sewage treatment plant (STP) in Okhla, Delhi, on Tuesday. The event marks a significant step in Delhi’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna River.

The inauguration, taking place at Keshavpur in Vikaspuri, will also feature the launch of 46 additional sewage and sanitation projects worth a total of Rs 4,000 crore under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will preside over the event, hosting over 6,000 attendees, including local residents, community leaders, and government officials.

The Okhla STP, built at a cost of Rs 1,161 crore, spans 40 acres and replaces four outdated sewage treatment units previously located at the same site.

The plant has a treatment capacity of 124 million gallons per day (MGD), making it the largest STP in Asia.

Designed as a modern, sustainable facility, the plant not only treats sewage but also produces power from waste and generates A-class sludge, safe for reuse in agriculture and landscaping.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), in collaboration with the central government, is leading the project and expects it to directly benefit nearly 40 lakh residents across south, central, and old Delhi.

The plant will play a critical role in reducing untreated sewage flowing into the Yamuna, a key target of the Yamuna Action Plan-III.

Project Timeline and Funding

Construction began in 2019 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government-imposed restrictions.

Originally slated for completion in 2022, the facility was finalised in April 2025, followed by a successful trial run.

Officials stated that 85 per cent of funding came from the central government, with the Delhi government contributing the remainder.

The inauguration of these projects underscores renewed attention to cleaning the Yamuna and improving urban sanitation infrastructure in Delhi.

The combined efforts of the Centre and Delhi government aim to transform water treatment, reduce pollution, and provide long-term environmental and public health benefits.

The Okhla STP and associated projects represent a major milestone in India’s commitment to sustainable urban water management and the restoration of the Yamuna River, benefiting millions of citizens while setting new standards for sewage treatment in Asia.

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