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HC orders survey of Yamuna’s changing course

February 20, 2025, 12:47 am

dreds of cases of land disputes between farmers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in Yamuna catchment area, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Surveyor General of India to study how the Yamuna River’s course has changed over time and its impact on the territories of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

As per the orders, the study will be conducted with the help of revenue officials from both states to resolve a long-standing land dispute. Delivering the judgment a bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri stated that the survey would examine how the Yamuna’s shifting course has affected land ownership in both states. The court also ordered that boundary pillars be placed between Haryana and UP after updating the official land records.
The case involves landowners from Manjhawali village in Haryana, who claim ownership of 300 bighas of land. This land, located near the Yamuna River, became part of UP’s territory after the river naturally changed course. However, in 1984, as part of a settlement under the Dixit Award, UP’s revenue records for this land were transferred to Haryana. Despite this, Haryana’s revenue officials never updated their records, leading to confusion over land ownership.
The matter was brought to the court by the after the petitioners on account of a registered sale deed are in possession of land measuring 300 Bighas comprised in Khasra Nnumbers 93, 94, 95/2, 96, 98, 99 in village Manjhawali in Yamunanagar district of Haryana.

The disputed land was situated on the banks of river Yamuna originally belonged to Pandit Gauri Shankar. It was alleged that after the change of course of Yamuna river, the land in question fell into the jurisdiction of Tehsil Secundrabad, District Bulandshahr, of Uttar Pradesh. The said land was recorded for identity purposes as Chak Manjhavali in the revenue records of Uttar Pradesh by the Revenue Officers concerned, in the Khatauni for the year 1946. However, in 1984, Uttar Pradesh’s revenue records for the disputed land were handed over to Haryana as part of the Dixit Award settlement. But Haryana’s revenue officials never updated their records, leading to confusion over ownership, it was alleged.
The court observed that it cannot be definitively said whether the Yamuna River’s course has remained unchanged over the past century. It also noted that land deposits (due to erosion or accumulation of soil) might have altered village boundaries over time, affecting ownership claims. Some villages in Haryana today might have once been part of Uttar Pradesh, officially or unofficially known as Chak Manjhawali.

The court further pointed out that historical land records, if available, are in Urdu or Persian. These must first be translated before they can be used to determine the rightful ownership of the land and update revenue records accordingly in both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, reads the order.

Yamuna River Clean-Up Starts in Delhi Following PM’s Pledge and BJP’s Election Victory

February 17, 2025, 10:09 am

Following instructions from Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Chief Secretary, cleaning of the Yamuna River started Sunday with trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredging equipment. This project started at a meeting where a critical plan for Yamuna cleanup was launched.

Four-Pronged Strategy Targets Pollution in the Yamuna

Including cleaning in major drains such the Najafgarh Drain and Supplementary Drain, the office of the Lieutenant Governor set forth a four-point plan aimed at river pollution; this involved trash, waste, and silt extraction from the Yamuna waterway.

Daily monitoring of STP capacity and output as well as a time-sensitive strategy for building new STPs to tackle the deficiency of treatment projected at 400 MGD are also part of this proposal.

Three-Year Timeline Set for River Restoration

Three years from now, the goal is to clear the river with great attention on coordination among several institutions including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IandFC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Environment Department, Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Weekly progress checks will be carried out, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will see to it that industrial units do not release unprocessed water into the drains.

BJP’s Election Promise Drives Urgent Action on Yamuna Clean-Up

Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prominent campaign promise was the vow to clean the Yamuna. Before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal had accused the Haryana government of polluting the river; Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged the Yamuna would become the “identity of Delhi.

PM Modi: “Yamuna Ji Will Become Delhi’s Identity”

Yamuna ji will become the face of Delhi. Certainly, this is not very hard. Regardless of how much time or effort is spent, if the will is strong, then Yamuna ji’s blessings will be upon us,” the Prime Minister declared following the BJP’s victory.

Union Minister Harsh Malhotra repeated that the Yamuna cleaning initiative would be finished within the schedule, emphasizing strongly on waste reduction.

The revival started in January 2023 when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the formation of a top-level committee chaired by L-G Saxena to deal with the pollution. The committee ordered factory units not to release polluted water into the drains.

Under Arvind Kejriwal’s prior Aam Aadmi Party government, the NGT order was challenged in the Supreme Court, leading the restoration work to be halted for some time. Earlier this year pollution levels had hit all-time highs.

Chhath Puja 2024: Elderly Woman Washes Hair In Toxic Yamuna Foam Mistaking It for Shampoo

November 6, 2024, 5:46 pm

Ahead of the Chhath Puja, the Yamuna river in Delhi was covered with a thick layer of white foam due to rising pollution levels. Despite warnings from the High Court against performing rituals on the polluted riverbed due to health risks, thousands of devotees gathered along the riverbank to pray to the Sun God. In some areas, the foam reached knee-high, and people continued to wade through it.

In a shocking video shared on Elon Musk-owned X, an elderly woman was seen washing her hair in the foamy water, seemingly mistaking the hazardous foam for shampoo. The video, posted by user Zoro, was captioned: “I’m saying it again, Basic education is necessary for everyone. Look at how this Aunty is washing her hairs thinking that foam is shampoo !! Chhath Puja scenes from Yamuna River, Delhi.”

Watch here:

I’m saying it again, Basic education is necessary for everyone.
Look at how this Aunty is washing her hairs thinking that foam is shampoo !!

? Chhath Puja scenes from Yamuna River, Delhi pic.twitter.com/3d4uwZXBZW

— ZORO (@BroominsKaBaap) November 5, 2024

What is Chhath Puja and Why is it Celebrated?

Chhath Puja is a significant festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God. It follows a strict four-day ritual and holds great importance for Delhi’s Purvanchali community, which includes Bhojpuri-speaking residents from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. This community constitutes 30-40% of Delhi’s voter base, with the assembly elections coming up early next year.

In response to the pollution levels in the Yamuna, authorities deployed chemical defoamers to address the issue, but the sight of toxic foam remains a cause for concern.

Experts Warn of Harmful Gases Released by Toxic Froth in Yamuna River

October 20, 2024, 1:52 pm

Experts have raised alarms about the toxic white froth seen in the Yamuna River. They warn that it contains harmful organic matter that releases volatile gases directly into the atmosphere. The froth formed largely due to untreated wastewater flowing into the river, poses severe environmental and health risks.

Organic Matter and Pollutants Behind Froth Formation

Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, highlighted that the froth is primarily caused by surfactants from soap, detergents, and other pollutants found in the untreated wastewater discharged into the river. “After the monsoon, the stable atmosphere and rising temperatures create ideal conditions for froth formation. As temperatures drop in October, the froth becomes more stable, and it releases harmful organic matter into the atmosphere,” Tripathi said.

The froth contains volatile organic gases and semi-volatile organic compounds, which act as precursors to secondary organic particulate matter, further worsening air quality.

The presence of froth in the Yamuna is not only a threat to air quality but also to aquatic life. Professor Tripathi explained that the froth depletes dissolved oxygen levels in the water, making it harmful to fish, algae, and other aquatic organisms. “Froth can kill healthy algae and fish, leading to a decline in aquatic biodiversity,” he added.

Need for Wastewater Treatment and Industrial Regulation

To address the issue, Professor Tripathi called for increased government efforts to expand wastewater treatment capacity, prevent untreated waste from entering the river, and regulate industrial waste disposal through technology. “Raising awareness and regulating activities along the riverbanks are essential steps to tackle the problem of toxic froth in the Yamuna,” he suggested.

An analysis of the Yamuna’s water quality, conducted by researcher Sharma, indicated that organic pollution, particularly from industrial and agricultural runoff, plays a significant role in the frothing problem. Polluted water containing organic compounds can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react with atmospheric oxidants to form secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). These aerosols are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, which exacerbate the frothing in polluted urban waterways like the Yamuna River.

Studies show that in areas with high levels of pollutants and surfactants, the potential for organic material to transfer into the atmosphere increases, worsening both water and air pollution.

Toxic Froth Covers Yamuna River Ahead of Chhath Puja, Netizens React

October 19, 2024, 6:35 pm

The Yamuna River in Delhi has been blanketed by a thick layer of white foam since Friday, creating serious health risks, especially with the festive season fast approaching.

Chhath Puja, which is scheduled for November 5 this year, requires devotees to take a dip in the river. However, the extreme pollution levels in the river could disrupt the celebrations.

Videos of the toxic foam quickly went viral on social media, drawing attention to the concerning situation.

Ajit Singh Rathi, a journalist, shared a video showing the foam, along with a message in Hindi stating, “Mother Yamuna is going through terrible pain, and that too in the national capital Delhi, where not one but two governments are in power. The pain is such that you too will groan.” He also questioned, “Where did the thousands of crores of rupees meant for cleaning the Yamuna go? Where did those resolutions for Yamuna disappear?”

माँ यमुना भयंकर पीड़ा से गुज़र रही है, और वो भी राष्ट्रीय राजधानी दिल्ली में, जहाँ एक नहीं दो दो सरकारें आसीन है। दर्द ऐसा कि आप भी कराह उठेंगे।
कहाँ बह गए वो हजारों करोड़ जो यमुना की सफ़ाई के लिए थे ?
कहाँ ग़ायब हो गए वो संकल्प जो यमुना के लिए थे ? #YamunaRiver #Delhi pic.twitter.com/F46cAU4fBM

— Ajit Singh Rathi (@AjitSinghRathi) October 19, 2024

Another concerned citizen posted a video of an individual wading through the foamy river, writing, “Chhath Puja is near, but the Yamuna’s polluted state remains a challenge. Faith and clean rivers should flow together.”

The Aam Aadmi Party responded, stating that the Delhi government is monitoring the situation closely. “Officials have already begun sprinkling defoamers to tackle the issue, and the government is actively taking steps to manage and resolve the situation,” they said in a statement.

Environmental experts, as reported by PTI, warned that the foam contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which pose significant health risks, including respiratory and skin issues.

Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), explained to PTI that the current level of foam indicates alarmingly high pollution, despite the river’s natural cleansing capabilities.

Experts are calling for urgent action from the government to address the pollution in the river to prevent a health crisis as festivals approach.

Delhi Water Crisis: SC Urges Centre to Convene Upper Yamuna River Board Meeting

June 3, 2024, 1:52 pm

The Supreme Court on Monday urged the Centre to convene an urgent meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) on June 5 to address Delhi’s severe water crisis amid the summer heat and rising demand. The court also directed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to take proactive measures to prevent water wastage and detect leakages in Delhi.

“There shall be an emergent meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board on June 5, 2024, to address the issues agitated in this petition and all other connected issues in right earnest so that problems of scarcity of water for the citizens of Delhi should be properly addressed. Post this matter on Thursday (June 6) along with the minutes of the meeting and the suggested steps,” ordered a vacation bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan.

The court was hearing a petition by the Delhi government for a directive to Haryana to release surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh through the Wazirabad Barrage. Himachal Pradesh agreed to share its surplus water with Delhi, but since it does not share a physical boundary with Delhi, the water must be released through the Wazirabad Barrage in Haryana.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the AAP government, stated that the plea aims to mitigate the water crisis through a one-time measure of using additional water from Himachal Pradesh. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Haryana, pointed out that the issue is pending before the UYRB, which has asked Himachal Pradesh for details of the additional water.

The court emphasized the need for a high-level meeting to consider the plea and other necessary measures to address the water crisis. “Why can’t there be a joint meeting of all the stakeholders? Let there be a high-level meeting today or tomorrow. As an emergency measure, convene a meeting as soon as possible,” the bench told the SG, who accepted the suggestion but stressed that the meeting should occur before the UYRB, the statutory body for such issues.

The UYRB, established in 1995, regulates the allocation and management of the Upper Yamuna Basin’s water resources. The board was constituted based on a memorandum of understanding signed by Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi in 1994.

SG Mehta highlighted substantial water losses in Delhi, with only 48.65 litres out of every 100 litres reaching the people due to leakage, the tanker mafia, and industrial theft. The court agreed that addressing internal inefficiencies is as crucial as securing additional water supplies from neighboring states.

The Delhi government’s petition, filed on May 31, highlighted the acute heatwave and red alert conditions in Delhi, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius. The petition emphasized the unprecedented surge in water demand and the critically reduced water levels at the Wazirabad Barrage, threatening the health and well-being of Delhi’s 25 million residents.

Despite administrative measures to optimize and ration water supply, the shortage remains acute, necessitating additional water from Himachal Pradesh through the Wazirabad Barrage in Haryana. The petition clarified that this request is a stop-gap measure to address the crisis until the monsoon arrives.

Citing a 1996 Supreme Court order directing Haryana to ensure water supply through the Yamuna River during a similar crisis, the Delhi government argued that the present situation is much more severe and urgent, calling for the Court’s intervention to prevent a severe health crisis. The petition underscored that access to water is a fundamental human right essential for sustaining life and maintaining dignity and quality of life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

NGT Fines Prayagraj DM for Delaying Ganga, Yamuna Sewage Report

May 23, 2024, 1:42 pm

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the District Magistrate of Prayagraj for failing to submit a timely status report regarding the discharge of sewage water into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, as well as improper and unplanned extraction of river water.

In an order dated February 7, 2024, the NGT formed a five-member Joint Committee with the District Magistrate, Prayagraj, acting as the nodal agency. The Tribunal directed the Committee to inspect all drains joining the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and all Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) from which discharge is made into these rivers. The Committee was tasked with conducting spot inspections, collecting samples of untreated water discharge, analyzing these samples, gathering information on STP functioning, and submitting a report before the Tribunal at least one week before the next hearing on March 13, 2024.

Despite these clear instructions, no report was submitted by the Committee by the specified date. When the matter was reviewed on March 13, the Tribunal noted the absence of the report even after a substantial lapse of time. Although the District Magistrate, Prayagraj, was granted an additional six weeks to file the report, no submission was made within this extended period. The Tribunal was informed that a report was filed a day before the hearing, but it was deemed defective.

The NGT expressed concern over the District Magistrate’s conduct, noting that it resulted in non-compliance with the Tribunal’s order and allowed untreated sewage to continue flowing into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, deteriorating water quality. Consequently, the Tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the District Magistrate, Prayagraj, directing that it be deposited with the Registrar General of the Tribunal within two weeks. The counsel for the District Magistrate was granted two weeks to rectify the defects in the report to ensure it is properly recorded.

The Tribunal’s directive came on May 21 while hearing a petition addressing the discharge of sewage into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the improper extraction of river water. The petition raised concerns about the availability of clean water for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in 2024-2025.

A recent status report from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) highlighted that Prayagraj generates approximately 500 million liters per day (mld) of sewage. Existing STPs have the capacity to treat 340 mld, with plans to expand this capacity to 533 mld.

The report from Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran indicated that 37 sewage-carrying drains have been tapped and diverted to 10 STPs, which treat the sewage according to standards set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change before discharging it into the Ganga and Yamuna. However, interception and diversion to STPs for 41 drains remain incomplete, leading to at least 67.82 mld of untreated sewage flowing into the rivers.

To verify the situation, the Tribunal formed a committee comprising representatives from the Member Secretary (CPCB), RO MOEF&CC (Lucknow), District Magistrate (Prayagraj), RO UPPCB (Prayagraj), and Chief Engineer, UP Jal Nigam. This committee was directed to inspect all drains joining the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and all STPs discharging into these rivers in Prayagraj district to provide a comprehensive report on the total sewage generation, installed STP capacity, and STP performance.

Delhi: Yamuna River flows slightly above danger mark at 205.81 metres

July 23, 2023, 3:56 pm

The Yamuna River’s water level in the National Capital was measured on Sunday morning at 205.81 meters, just above the 205.33 meter danger mark after days of receding.

As per the Central Water Commission, the water level stood at 205.81 at 7 am today, up from 205.7m recorded earlier a few hours ago. Due to a rise in the water level of the Hindon River in Noida, several houses were submerged in the low-lying areas on Saturday. The police reached the spot on Saturday and issued an alert regarding the situation.

“Water entered some houses in the low-lying areas…as a precautionary measure, people have been evacuated to a safer place. The situation is normal at the moment and we are monitoring the water level and spreading awareness about it,” said, Sureshrao Kulkarni, Additional Commissioner of Police.
After July 13, the Yamuna had been receding gradually after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 meters but there have been marginal fluctuations in the water level over the last two-three days.

The water level dropped below the danger mark at 8 pm on July 18 after flowing above the threshold for eight days. The river breached the danger mark at 5 pm on July 10, leading to extensive flooding of the national capital.
Due to the increase in the water level of the river, several places in Delhi grappled with water-logging and flood-like situations.
Citing Central Water Commission, Revenue Minister Atishi said in a statement on Saturday said there is a possibility that the Yamuna River may cross the danger level by tomorrow (Sunday) evening.

Atishi also warned that if the water level reaches 206.7 m, some areas of Yamuna Khadar might flood. Nevertheless, she continued, “the government is fully prepared to conduct immediate evacuations in these vulnerable areas.”

Yamuna crosses ‘danger’ mark in Delhi, evacuation alert

July 10, 2023, 5:45 pm

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday revealed that the government is on “high alert”. “As soon as the Yamuna river crosses 206 meters of water level, we will begin evacuations along the bank of the river,” he further added.

As torrential rain drenched areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, causing waterlogging, flash floods, and landslides, major towns in north India reported loss of life and property, as well as disruptions in transportation and power.

Several portions of northwest India experienced significant rain, with Delhi breaking a 41-year record. There have been reports of house collapses, tree uprooting, and waterlogging in various residential areas. Waterlogging was also noticed in diplomatic enclaves such as Chanakyapuri, Kaka Nagar, Bharti Nagar, and other significant roads and colonies under the NDMC’s control.

Delhi Police rescue a girl who jumped off Signature Bridge into Yamuna

February 15, 2023, 5:17 pm

Delhi Police got into the action with the help of divers and rescued a teenage girl who jumped into the Yamuna River from the Signature Bridge of the national capital. The 17-year-old teenager resorted to the extreme level on Tuesday night allegedly after a tiff with her father. The girl is now safely handed over to the family, said police.

As per the Delhi Police, the incident took place at around 09:15 p.m. on Tuesday when she was traveling from Timarpur to Khajuri. The Assistant Sub-Inspector, who was on patrol at the spot swung into the action mode and informed the station staff. More than half a dozen officers including Station House Officer, Tribhuvan Singh Negi begun the rescue operation in Yamuna with the help of divers.