The 52-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi will be divided into two phases, with Wazirabad serving as the midpoint. Delhi is planning to develop a Sabarmati riverfront-like project along the Yamuna in two phases, with plans to create large parks, cycle tracks, open spaces and sports facilities along the river.
“We have initiated the files for signing an MoU with the Sabarmati Riverfront Corporation. They will guide us in overcoming the hurdles encountered during the execution of the Sabarmati project and help us with the no-objection certificates (NOCs) and infrastructure development required for a similar riverfront along the Yamuna. The first phase will cover the stretch from Palla to Wazirabad, while the second will extend from Wazirabad to Kalindi Kunj. “Wazirabad is the midpoint. The first phase will be carried out from Palla to Wazirabad, and the second phase will cover Wazirabad to Kalindi Kunj. The government’s plan follows a visit by Verma and officials from the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to the Sabarmati riverfront in August to study the model and understand the challenges involved in replicating it in Delhi.
Verma said the government aimed to bridge the treatment-capacity shortfall of 250 million gallons per day (MGD) over the next two-and-a-half years. “We cannot say that Yamuna will become clean in six months, one year or 1.5 years. It will start getting relatively better in 1.5 years, and people will see drastic change in 2.5 years when all these treatment plants and projects are completed,” he said.
Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma said the government has initiated the process of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), which will provide technical guidance for the project. We are moving ahead, and a consultant is being hired to execute the project,” Verma said. The minister said the project would be implemented in two phases. If all goes according to plan, Delhiites will be able to experience the riverfront model before the next election. They will be able to spend time along the river, walk, practise yoga and participate in several other activities,” he said. “We saw that all the issues that existed in the Sabarmati riverfront 25-30 years ago are the same issues we face in the Yamuna in Delhi currently,” Verma had said during the visit.
