Delhi Cabinet nod for Interceptor Sewer System for cleaning Yamuna

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) The Delhi Cabinet today approved a scheme of Interceptor Sewerage system to provide fillip to cleaning of river Yamuna.

The approval of the scheme, mooted by the Delhi Jal Board, was among the decisions taken by the Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the Delhi Secretariat.

Briefing newspersons, Ms Dikshit said her Government has taken a positive step in direction of abatement of pollution in the river Yamuna by laying Interceptor Sewerage System along major drains falling into the river.

The first phase which would be initially executed would cost Rs 1150 crore and would cover major drains like Najafgarh, supplementary and Shahdara which are becoming cause of substantial pollution in the river.

The next phase would cover augmentation of the existing capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants at the mouth of Delhi Gate drain and Dr Sen Nursing Home drain and construction of additional Sewage Treatment Plants after utilisation of the full capacity of the existing plants. The cost of both phases comes to Rs 1954 crore.

Ms Dikshit said an Expert Committee constituted in pursuance of the Supreme Court's direction dated April 10, has opined that the interceptor sewer concept of the Delhi Jal Board is a technically and environmentally desirable solution.

It is a step forward in the right direction in contribution to abatement of pollution in river Yamuna. The Cabinet has awarded the complete project management of the Interceptor Sewer Project to the EIL. Ms Dikshit expressed confidence that the scheme would be implemented in true spirit and bring a positive change in river Yamuna.

UNI