haryana-panel-to-monitor-water-quality-of-yamuna-drains

Taking a serious notice of the rising pollution levels in Yamuna river, the Haryana government has set up a high-level committee to monitor the water quality of 11 major drains flowing into the river. Headed by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) chairman, the committee will have senior officials from various departments. It is entrusted with the task of tracking water quality parameters of the drains and the river on a monthly basis.

 

The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti had raised the issue in May, saying some stretches of the Yamuna were among the most polluted in India due to both natural and human causes. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) then responded with a detailed action plan, highlighting the deteriorating condition of several drains over the past three years (2022–2025). The report observed rising Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in many drains.

 

After the HSPCB findings, it was decided at a meeting of the River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) presided over by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi that the water quality of the drains and the river would be monitored continuously. “A comparative monthly chart should be maintained to assess improvement in water quality,” said the Chief Secretary.

 

The committee members include Member Secretary, HSPCB, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Engineer-in-Chief, Irrigation Department, Chief Engineers of the Urban Local Bodies, Development and Panchayat Departments and HSIIDC. The committee will monitor the treatment of wastewater flowing through 11 key drains, status of new, upgraded and proposed sewage treatment plants (STPs), progress of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), completion of sewerage networks in towns under the Yamuna catchment and installation of treatment systems in villages along the river.

 

The Chief Secretary said the unchecked industrial pollution is contributing to Yamuna’s degradation. The HSPCB reported that nearly 3,000 water-polluting industrial units are operating in the state and the water quality in most drains has not improved much. The HSPCB has been asked to issue notices to the defaulting units.