Meghan Hodges
The Yamuna River, a sacred river in India, has been facing severe pollution challenges for several years. The river, which passes through Delhi, is considered one of the most polluted in the country, with high levels of domestic waste, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff contributing to its degradation. While pollution affects various parts of the river, the segment flowing through Delhi, especially downstream, is particularly hard hit. This is due in large part to the city dumping a significant portion of its waste into the river, with Wazirabad being the most polluting area.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. About 57 million people depend on the river as it accounts for more than 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, the river is choked with plastic pollution, particularly in Agra, where the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is almost 50 times the permissible limit.
Plastics enter the river mainly through open drains where people dispose of their waste. Delhi produces 251,674 tonnes of plastic annually, with 50% being single-use. Along the river, piles of plastic bags, flip-flops, paper products, and other rubbish are found every few feet. The pollution is so severe that the High Court in Uttarakhand, India, granted the river the status of a legal entity, making it illegal to damage or pollute the river.
Microplastics are pervasive contaminants that pose significant ecological and human health risks. A study by ScienceDirect investigated the abundance, characteristics, and distribution of microplastics in the Yamuna River, with samples collected from 29 sampling points across urban, rural, and industrial zones in and around Delhi, Mathura, Haryana, and Agra. The study found microplastics at various depths in the river, with particle size distribution predominantly between 2 μm to 80 μm, and the largest detected particle measuring 256.5 μm.
The Indian government has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 to address river pollution. Under YAP-III, a new sewage treatment plant is being constructed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Additionally, the BJP government in Delhi has set a 2027 deadline for completing the river cleaning process, with a four-stage strategy in place.
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Industrial effluents
The Yamuna River, the second-largest tributary of the River Ganga and the longest tributary in India, has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. More than 57 million people rely on the Yamuna for water, as it accounts for over 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, the river is severely polluted, particularly downstream of New Delhi, which dumps approximately 58% of its waste into it.
The Indian government has implemented various measures to address the river's pollution through the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP), which has been in place since 1993. Under YAP, efforts have been made to upgrade existing STPs, improve water treatment processes, and promote public participation and awareness. Additionally, the 'Yamuna Master Plan' was introduced in 2025, aiming to clean the river along the Delhi section through a four-stage strategy.
Despite these efforts, industrial effluents continue to pose a significant challenge. Stringent regulation enforcement and the integration of the private sector, local communities, and NGOs are necessary to ensure effective water management and reduce the discharge of industrial waste into the river. Full and participatory environmental impact assessments should also be conducted for all projects to monitor and control effluent disposal by industries.
The high levels of industrial effluents in the Yamuna River have severe ecological and health implications. The river's dissolved oxygen (DO) count has consistently been zero, indicating that it is virtually dead. This, along with high BOD and COD levels, suggests that the river is heavily polluted and unable to support aquatic life. The presence of heavy metals, such as iron (Fe), further exacerbates the problem, leading to potential health risks for humans, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage.
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Domestic waste
The Yamuna River is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with a significant portion of the pollution attributed to domestic waste. This waste includes untreated sewage, household waste, and plastic pollution.
Untreated domestic wastewater is a major contributor to the pollution of the Yamuna River. It has been reported that at least 90% of domestic wastewater in Delhi flows into the Yamuna River. This wastewater contains high levels of detergent, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds from household activities. The high phosphate concentration in the river, at 0.51 mg/litre, far exceeds the normal range of 0.005 to 0.05 mg/litre.
In 2016, it was revealed that only 55% of Delhi's population had access to a sewage facility, resulting in waste from the remaining 45% of households flowing directly into the river through open drains. This untreated sewage contributes to the high levels of pollution in the river, particularly in the 22 km (14 mi) stretch between the Wazirabad barrage and the Okhla barrage in Delhi, which accounts for nearly 80% of the total pollution in the river.
Solid Waste and Plastic Pollution
Solid waste, including plastic pollution, is also a significant issue in the Yamuna River. In Agra, the river has been choked by intense plastic pollution, despite a ban on single-use plastics in 2017. Delhi, a major contributor to the river's pollution, produces 2,51,674 tonnes of plastic annually, with half of it being single-use. This plastic waste, along with other solid waste, ends up in the river through open drains and improper waste disposal.
Initiatives to Address Domestic Waste
To address the issue of domestic waste in the Yamuna River, various initiatives have been undertaken:
- Yamuna Action Plan (YAP): Implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) since 1993, YAP aims to improve sewage treatment infrastructure and reduce pollution. Under YAP-III, a new sewage treatment plant is being constructed in Delhi to enhance treatment capacity.
- Yamuna Master Plan: Introduced in 2025 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, this plan outlines a four-stage strategy to reduce pollution, remove waste and silt, and clean major drains along the Delhi section of the river. The government has set a deadline of 2027 for completing the cleaning process.
- Community Initiatives: Organisations like Earth5R are working with citizens to promote sustainability and raise awareness about the river's pollution. They advocate for waste management systems that enable recycling and upcycling, rainwater harvesting for uncontaminated water sources, and the use of environmentally friendly alternatives to reduce pollution.
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Heavy metal contamination
The River Yamuna, one of the most sacred tributaries of the River Ganga, is heavily polluted with heavy metals. A study that assessed the level of heavy metals in the river in Uttar Pradesh, India, found that iron (Fe) was the most abundant metal, exceeding the safe limit. Other heavy metals found in the river include cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). The concentration of these heavy metals varies along the river, with higher levels found downstream of major cities such as Delhi.
The Yamuna River is an essential water source for over 57 million people, accounting for more than 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, due to population growth and rapid industrialisation, it has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river is heavily polluted downstream of New Delhi, with the city dumping about 58% of its waste into the river. The Wazirabad section of the river, where it enters Delhi, is a major source of pollution, as it receives wastewater from various sources.
To address the critical issue of heavy metal contamination and overall river pollution, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993. This plan includes the construction of sewage treatment plants and initiatives to reduce plastic pollution. The Indian government has also taken measures, such as repairing sewage lines, to improve water quality. Additionally, the 'Yamuna Master Plan' was introduced in 2025, outlining a strategy to reduce pollution and restore the river's water quality by 2027.
Despite the efforts to mitigate pollution, the Yamuna River continues to face significant challenges. The high levels of heavy metal contamination pose risks to human health, especially for those who depend on the river for their water supply. The religious significance of the river adds another layer of complexity, as some religious figures and Hindus continue to consider it sacred despite its physical pollution. The cleaning and restoration of the Yamuna River remain a critical priority for ensuring the health and well-being of the millions of people who rely on it.
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Sewage treatment
The Yamuna River, the second-largest tributary of the River Ganga and the longest tributary in India, has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. More than 57 million people rely on the Yamuna as it provides over 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, the river is also referred to as "Delhi's dying holy river".
The Yamuna is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. A 2016 study revealed a 100% urban metabolism rate of the Yamuna as it passes through the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The most pollution comes from Wazirabad, from where the Yamuna enters Delhi.
To address river pollution, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 through its National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD). The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has also participated in the YAP in 15 towns with soft loan assistance, while the Indian government funds the remaining towns.
Under the YAP, measures have been taken to improve sewage treatment infrastructure and capacity. The total sewage treatment capacity created under YAP I was 750 million litres per day (MLD). The YAP II had a total STP capacity of 189 MLD, with a budget of INR 6.24 billion. Various pilot projects were also included, such as Dairy Farm Waste Management and Slum Rehabilitation Study.
Despite these efforts, Delhi's sewage treatment plants have not been effective in adequately treating the city's sewage. Delhi generates about 3,600 million litres of sewage daily, but only 565 million gallons are treated, with the rest flowing untreated into open drains. A review in 2024 found that only 14 out of 37 sewage treatment plants met the revised effluent discharge standards. Poor maintenance, power failures, mechanical problems, outdated infrastructure, and intermittent electricity supply have been cited as contributing factors.
The Delhi Jal Board, responsible for managing sewage treatment plants and sewerage, has faced challenges due to disconnected sewer lines and stormwater drains carrying raw sewage. The institutional fragmentation involving multiple agencies with overlapping responsibilities has resulted in poor coordination and limited accountability.
To effectively address the sewage treatment issues in the Yamuna River, a shift from solely focusing on infrastructure development to systemic reform is necessary. This includes prioritizing maintenance, staff training, enforcement of regulations, and community engagement.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yamuna River is particularly polluted downstream of New Delhi, India's capital, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. The most pollution comes from Wazirabad, where the Yamuna flows into Delhi.
The Yamuna River is one of India's most polluted rivers due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. Iron (Fe) is the most abundant heavy metal in the river, exceeding the limit and causing various health issues.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 to address river pollution. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) have also been constructed in various parts of Delhi, but more sustained efforts and investments are needed to bring lasting improvements.
