Experts Urge MPD 2047 to Prioritise Yamuna Cleanliness Over Riverfront Plans
As the Master Plan for Delhi 2047 focuses on riverfront restoration, experts in New Delhi have stressed that the availability of clean water in the Yamuna must be prioritised over cosmetic redevelopment.
Experts have raised questions regarding the concrete steps the new master plan will offer to clean and rejuvenate the stretch of the river flowing through the capital. Despite significant expenditure on various restoration initiatives over the years, the ecological health of the Yamuna has demonstrated limited improvement.
While plans for the restoration of the Yamuna floodplain are being pushed through MPD 2047, including efforts to emulate the Sabarmati riverfront model in Ahmedabad, experts highlighted key operational differences. Unlike the Sabarmati, which receives water from the Narmada, Delhi remains dependent on Haryana for adequate riverine water flow.
One expert noted that despite substantial public spending, residents are still unable to sit comfortably along the banks of the Yamuna. The expert stated that MPD 2047 must explicitly specify cleaning and restoration measures to prevent the river's condition from continuing to deteriorate up to 2047.
Experts also called on the master plan to provide actionable solutions to stop the direct discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna from various parts of Delhi. They warned that unless sewage discharge is completely halted and the city's existing sewerage infrastructure is strengthened, riverfront development projects alone will fail to resolve the pollution crisis.
