The Delhi government has officially set a new deadline for cleaning the Yamuna River, targeting completion by 2029. The announcement was made by Water and Public Works Minister Pravesh Verma during a press conference, where he outlined the government’s long-term vision and infrastructure goals.
Yamuna Cleaning And Long-Term Strategy
Minister Verma stated that the Yamuna will be cleaned by 2029, with pollution levels expected to reduce gradually. Addressing the timeline, he emphasised that the public has elected the government for a five-year term and urged citizens to have patience.
Strategic Planning: Verma explained that the government is not working with a short-term perspective of one or two years. Instead, they are implementing a comprehensive plan that considers the issues of the last 40 to 50 years.
Road Infrastructure Targets
The government has prepared a detailed action plan to overhaul the city's road network. Minister Verma provided specific timelines for these developments:
By March: 450 kilometres of roads will be rebuilt.
By November 2026: A total of 1,000 kilometres of roads will be constructed across the city.
New Policy On Road Excavation
To prevent damage to newly constructed infrastructure, the Minister clarified a strict new policy regarding road coordination.
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Agency Coordination: Before any major road is built, all relevant agencies will be sent a formal letter requesting details of their underground plans.
Strict Enforcement: If an agency fails to provide this information and later requests to dig up the road (eg, after six months), permission will be denied.
Focus On Internal Systems
Minister Verma noted that while the government is appealing to the public not to ignore official advice, the primary focus remains on improving the government's own internal systems and arrangements first.
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