Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Tuesday directed all concerned departments to expedite implementation of sewage treatment, industrial effluent management and pollution control projects to ensure significant improvement in water quality of Yamuna River and its tributary drains.
Chairing a high-level review meeting here during which he reviewed the progress of the Yamuna Action Plan, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the Haryana government is committed to ensuring that the Yamuna remains clean and pollution-free through a coordinated, time-bound and technology-driven approach.
He directed the departments to ensure completion of all ongoing and proposed projects by December 31, 2027.
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The review highlighted the significant progress made across the Yamuna catchment through the development of new sewage treatment plants (STPs), combined effluent treatment plants (CETPs), small scale sewage treatment plants and effluent utilization infrastructure.
In a major step towards rejuvenation of the Yamuna River, the Haryana government has launched a large-scale action plan, focusing on sewage treatment, industrial waste management and immediate monitoring of sewage pollution.
Haryana State Pollution Control Board Chairman Vinay Pratap Singh informed the meeting that projects involving over 425 million liters (million liters per day) of additional sewage treatment capacity and over 150 million liters of industrial effluent treatment capacity are at various stages of tender, approval and implementation.
Among the major initiatives discussed was the modernization of the existing 10-MLD STP plant at Ghatal Road, Panipat, which will enable treatment of domestic sewage and industrial effluents. Plans to set up six small sewage treatment plants in villages of Karnal district were also reviewed, a move that is expected to significantly reduce the discharge of untreated gray water into drains.
In Sonipat, the proposed centralized treatment projects at Nathupur and Kundli and strengthening of the Rathhana sewage treatment plant are expected to enhance sewage treatment infrastructure in the fast-growing industrial and urban areas.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the CETP programs planned in Gurugram and Faridabad, including major projects in Partapgarh, Mirzapur and industrial sectors in Gurugram.
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Special attention has been given to the Mungeshpur drain, where untreated sewage is diverted towards treatment facilities and bio-treatment measures are planned to improve water quality before the drain enters Delhi.
Officials informed that the identified drainage points across major drains are being systematically utilized to prevent untreated effluents from reaching natural water bodies.
The Chief Secretary directed the departments to ensure strict compliance of discharge norms at all STPs and CETPs and stressed the importance of regular monitoring.
He also called for stronger enforcement measures to prevent illegal waste dumping and unauthorized discharge of liquid waste into drains.
Reviewing the project timelines, Rastogi instructed the departments to resolve the outstanding land-related issues and procedural issues on priority so that construction activities can commence without delay.
He stressed that effective coordination between urban local bodies, development authorities, HSIIDC, PHED, HSPCB and district administrations will be crucial for achieving the objectives of the Yamuna Action Plan.
Officials informed the meeting that major treatment infrastructure projects in Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Sonipat and Rohtak are progressing through the tendering and approval stages and are expected to significantly enhance the state’s wastewater treatment capacity in the coming years.
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The Chief Secretary also stressed the need for stringent quality checks of existing central processing plants and comprehensive treatment plans, adding that he would personally visit selected plants to review their performance and ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
