In pictures: Oh Yamuna! When you will be cleaned

Yamuna river once mentioned in Rig Veda has unfortunately turned into a massive sewage canal. Though it does not support aquatic life, the water has become unfit for even human consumption and has become a serious environmental hazard.

Role of Government

Even though the Government has spent over Rs 6,500 crore to clean up the river but due to delay in projects, Delhi is suffering. In its latest report, the Standing Committee on Urban Development has asked the ministry to expedite the interceptor sewers project to save Yamuna and "sustain its ecology" while observing that the river seems dirtier than before even though Rs 6,500 crore has been spent on cleaning it.

Interceptor sewers along the major drains of the city are crucial for curbing pollution of the Yamuna as they would keep untreated sewage from flowing into the river.

'Clean-Yamuna campaign'

Several campaigns have been organised by activists, environmentalists, students, and media houses in the past to rejuvanate the Yamuna river but little has been done till date in this direction. Lately Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari assured the people of Delhi to make river navigable in Delhi.

Disposal of industrial waste, garbage dumping

The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located in Okhla industrial area. The people also prefer disposing of the religious waste in the river which further makes it unfit for human and aquati life.

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)

Black waters of Yamuna

Yamuna river near Okhla bird sanctuary, New Delhi.The Yamuna river is polluted due to massive dumping of garbage by people residing near the river, along with industrial waste from factories located nearby.(OneIndia photo by Sukant Singh)