YAP-II Activity Details

PREPARATION OF MASTER PLAN (M/P), FEASIBILITY STUDY (F/S), DETAILED PROJECT REPORT (DPR) FOR YAP- III IN DELHI

Decentralized Wastewater Collection and Treatment for Water Bodies (Including Pilot Project)

Under this scheme, installation of decentralized wastewater collection/ treatment / and effluent reuse systems to intercept polluting wastewater flow in water bodies e.g. lakes and ponds, not served by the centralized sewerage systems, will be studied supported by pilot implementation. This will revitalize the water bodies of Delhi, enabling the public open spaces to provide multiple environmental benefits including potential ground water recharge.

Dairy Farm Waste Management (Including Pilot Project)

A large number of clusters of dairy farms located in the towns and cities along the river are directly discharging the cattle dung and liquid wastes into the river. There are ten authorized clusters of dairy farms in Delhi, which are located on the outskirts. Some of the larger clusters are at Gazipur, Najafgarh and MadanpurKhadar. Besides these authorized farms, there are still a large number of unauthorized dairies operating in and around the city. It is estimated that in 12 different zones of MCD, there are 21 unauthorized dairy clusters with over 2811 unauthorized dairy units having more than 40,000 head of cattle. The dung generated from these units is of the order of 380 tonnes/day.

It is estimated that over three-fourths of waste generated at these dairy clusters finds its way into the river through the discharge of cattle-waste from the dairying activities into local surface drains that ultimately discharge into the Yamuna. This corresponds to a BOD pollution load of over 48 tonnes/day from Delhi alone.

Through this component it is anticipated that alternative use practices can be examined and better management of the dairy waste can be effected, converting the waste into an asset to the community and at the same time reducing the pollution load on the river. The long-term objective of the project is to help control discharge of organic pollutants from dairy farms in Delhi, leading to improvement in the river water quality. Towards its achievement it may be necessary to incorporate appropriate technology solutions addressing key concerns for logistics, public participation, institutional and financial sustainability.

Dhobighat Sudhar Yojna (Including Pilot Project)

The washer-men (Dhobi) community, residing largely on the banks of the river Yamuna, derives their sustenance from laundry operations. In Delhi, a huge quantity of clothes from residences, hospitals, industries etc. are being washed at constructed/ traditional Dhobighats either on the banks of the river Yamuna or near canals/ nallahs by utilising river water or water supplied from other sources. Almost the entire activity is unorganised and performed by individual washer-men and their family members. The required infrastructure for washing, drying etc. is not available adequately at most of the Dhobighat sites. The wastewater including large quantity of soap, detergents, chemicals, etc. discharged from the sites eventually drains directly or indirectly into the river Yamuna resulting in water pollution. In order to prevent river pollution from the sources, it is necessary to carry out a detailed situation analysis involving all relevant stakeholders and to prepare a M/P for improving the existing conditions of all the Dhobighats in Delhi. The pilot intervention for developing the model Dhobighat would be implemented with participation of a Dhobi community, which could be replicated for all the Dhobighats.

Slaughterhouse Modernisation and Waste Management

There is only one authorized slaughterhouse in Delhi, the Idgah Abattoir located near Karol Bagh and Paharganj. This slaughterhouse is more than 100 years old and does not have any modern equipment for slaughtering animals and meat processing. There is no authorized slaughterhouse for meeting the demand of chicken and pork meat. In view of capacity constraints, a major part of the demand is met through illegal slaughtering across the city. This situation coupled with the poor state of infrastructure available at Idgah and in the city in general is a cause of concern with regard to ensuring hygiene, food safety and environment protection. Currently a major quantity of the solid waste from the slaughterhouses is disposed in the Gazipur landfill site. The entire wastewater from these slaughterhouses is discharged untreated into open drains/sewers, which eventually join the Yamuna. MCD has already taken up a project to modernize the Idgah Abattoir.

Under this project component, an integrated M/P will be developed on all existing authorized and unauthorized slaughterhouses. This will be done by the collection of data to review the existing systems, situation analysis with available documents and information with physical verification and investigation work. A Detailed Strategy Study Report will also be prepared to depict the existing infrastructure facilities, measure the problems and suggest the modernization system as well as recommend the appropriate techniques for treatment of various wastes.

Antim Niwas Sudhar Yojna (including Pilot Project)

The cremation of dead bodies on the banks of the river Yamuna is a traditional practice in the Hindu religion. In case of infant/ young children, dead bodies are buried in the river rather than cremated. Largely, the poor often release un-burned or half-burned dead bodies to the river due to lack of adequate resources for funerals. However, the animals are buried/ disposed of in the open space or drains/ nallahs, or riverside since there is no animal crematorium in Delhi. All these factors contribute to further pollution of the Yamuna.

In order to address this problem, two electric crematoria were installed during YAP-I in Delhi. However, it is seen that these are under-utilised. The main reasons are religious beliefs and ritual/ customs, preconceived notions and perceptions. It is also understood that in order to make the process more acceptable, MCD has introduced people friendly CNG technology, which is more compatible with the ritualistic cremation ceremony. In order to ensure prevention of this serious form of river pollution, there is a need to carry out a situation analysis involving all relevant stakeholders and to prepare a M/P for improving the existing conditions of all the Crematoria/ Cremation Grounds in Delhi. The need/ priority based activity would be undertaken for environmental upgrading of existing crematoria, besides the pilot intervention for Animal Crematoria at selected sites.

Slum Rehabilitation Study

Slum squatter settlements located in riverbeds, eastern and western embankments, on all the major drains, of the capital city of Delhi and other drains contribute to the pollution load in Yamuna. This pollution source has been a serious cause of concern and has been repeatedly observed by the Honorable Supreme Court to be a contributing factor to the river pollution in the Delhi reach of the river Yamuna.

Under YAP-II, a slum rehabilitation study is to be conducted to understand the various perspectives related to resettlement & rehabilitation of slum squatter sites in Delhi including a socio-economic survey. Accordingly, on the basis of studies, a DPR is to be prepared in order to implement smooth and meaningful relocation and rehabilitation of slum clusters. The DPR will also include suggestions for reorganization of existing institutional set up.