Chandigarh: Haryana is accelerating its commitment to a clean and safe Yamuna River ahead of the auspicious Chhath Puja festival. Following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, inter-departmental efforts have intensified, focusing on upgraded infrastructure, stringent pollution control and a sustained drive for ecological balance. The state’s proactive measures aim to ensure a pristine and secure environment for the thousands of devotees who will perform rituals along the river and its tributaries.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) across the Yamuna catchment area. He directed all Executive Engineers to personally oversee the functioning of these plants up to October 28, 2025, ensuring that no breakdown occurs and that all systems operate within prescribed environmental standards. Junior Engineers and Sub-Divisional Engineers have been deputed for continuous supervision, while the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has been instructed to form special flying squads to conduct surprise inspections during odd hours. He directed officials to finalize the complete list of STPs and CETPs, including those under construction, and to prepare a future action plan while ensuring strict adherence to project completion timelines.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and pollution-free Yamuna through inter-departmental coordination and strict monitoring. He stated that a clean river system is both an environmental necessity and a social responsibility, adding that Chhath Puja provides an occasion to renew collective efforts towards protecting nature and ensuring ecological balance.
Rastogi instructed departments including PHED, HSVP, HSIIDC, GMDA, ULBD, and HSPCB to identify industries with the potential to discharge pollutants into the river or its drains and to maintain strict vigil over their operations. He directed that any manipulation of operational or monitoring data must be addressed immediately and firmly.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed preparations to ensure a clean Yamuna during Chhath Puja celebrations. He instructed the Urban Local Bodies Department and the Irrigation Department to undertake the immediate removal of solid waste from drains and riverbanks. Municipal Corporations have been directed to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to keep ghats and river stretches clean and accessible throughout the festive period.
For the next 15 days, a coordinated enforcement drive will be carried out by the Police, Municipal Corporations, Public Health Engineering Department, and Development and Panchayats wings to prevent the illegal disposal of sewage or tanker waste into the river. The PHED will deploy tankers to lift sewage for treatment at existing STPs wherever capacity allows, while Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Magistrates will monitor compliance at the district level.
Rastogi also reviewed the progress of STP projects under implementation in the Yamuna catchment area. He noted that projects with a total capacity of 107 million litres per day (MLD) are expected to be completed by March 2027.
It was informed during the meeting that six irrigation projects utilizing treated wastewater are in progress at Behrampur, Kanheli, Karnal, Haikat Nagar, Shiv Colony, and Jattal Road in Panipat, collectively covering a treatment capacity of 158 MLD. These projects, costing approximately ₹253 crore, are advancing steadily, with progress ranging from 35% to 90% across different locations.
To ensure safety and protect the Yamuna and its tributaries, fencing work is being carried out at 364 bridge locations across Haryana. The largest number of sites have been identified in Sirsa (74), Kurukshetra (73), Charkhi Dadri (50), and Kaithal (37). Similarly, 79 ghats across 19 regions have been identified for cleaning and maintenance. Of these, 40 existing ghats have already been upgraded, while 39 new ghats are being developed. Major work is underway in Hisar, Karnal, Yamuna Nagar, and Sirsa to ensure safe and clean facilities for devotees during Chhath Puja.
