The Delhi government is set to significantly increase its sewage treatment capacity to 1,500 million gallons per day (MGD) by 2028 as part of an ambitious plan to clean the Yamuna River. This was announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, highlighting the river's importance as the lifeline of Delhi.

Currently, Delhi's 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) collectively process 814 MGD of wastewater, which the government considers sufficient for present needs. However, recognizing future demands and aiming for a sustainable sewage management system, the city is proactively expanding its treatment capabilities.

The expansion plan involves several strategic steps:

• Upgrading existing machinery to add 56 MGD of capacity by December 2027.
• Establishing 35 new decentralized sewage treatment plants (DSTPs) to create an additional 170 MGD capacity.
• Constructing new, large-scale plants near drains to add 460 MGD capacity by December 2028.

The government aims to connect all 1,799 unauthorized colonies to the sewerage network by 2028. Sewer lines are being laid in JJ clusters with work completed in 574 out of 675 clusters and single-point sewage collection being arranged in 65 clusters. This initiative is scheduled to be completed in phases between December 2026 and December 2028.

A key aspect of this plan involves addressing the pollution entering Delhi from neighboring states. According to Gupta, six drains from Haryana contribute 33% of the contaminated water in the Najafgarh drain, while four major drains from Uttar Pradesh account for approximately 40% of the contaminated water entering the Shahdara Drain. The Chief Minister intends to discuss these issues with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to find collaborative solutions.

To ensure effective implementation and monitoring, the Delhi government will conduct drone surveys to identify and map all small drains connected to the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains by the end of January. The remaining drains will be surveyed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) by June 2026. Regular monthly water quality testing of 22 major drains will be conducted to monitor pollution levels.

CM Gupta emphasized the importance of coordination among various departments, including the Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA). She has directed the formation of a special committee to prevent delays in road cutting for sewer laying and ensure prompt restoration. Gupta also stressed the need to control the discharge of polluted water from industrial areas, which contributes to the Yamuna's pollution.

The increase in sewage treatment capacity will prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Yamuna, leading to improved water quality, reduced odors and pollution, and the restoration of the river's ecosystem. This initiative is expected to safeguard drinking water sources, improve public health, and provide Delhi with a sustainable sewage system for its growing population.

In July 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also directed the Delhi government to nearly double its sewage treatment capacity to 1,500 MGD by 2028 as part of the efforts to clean the Yamuna river.