New Delhi:  

Between January 2023 and March 2025, water quality monitoring at critical points has exposed dangerous levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), a key marker of organic pollution, exceeding safe thresholds by more than 40 times in some areas.

 The Yamuna River, long regarded as the lifeblood of Delhi, is teetering on the brink of ecological collapse. Despite repeated promises of revival, recent government data reveals a steep decline in the river’s health, with pollution levels now soaring far beyond acceptable limits. A new report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), titled “Progress in Rejuvenation of the River Yamuna”, paints a bleak picture of a waterway overwhelmed by toxic waste.

Yamuna’s BOD levels critically high in 3 national capital locations

At three major locations, the outfalls of the Najafgarh, Shahdara drains, and the ISBT near Kashmere Gate, the data signals a worsening trend. BOD levels, which should ideally remain below 3 milligrams per litre (mg/l) for a healthy ecosystem, have repeatedly spiked to hazardous levels.

Najafgarh, one of the Yamuna’s most polluted tributaries, recorded BOD levels of 53 mg/l in early 2023. After a brief dip, the figure surged again, hitting 64 mg/l by late 2024. In February 2025, the situation reached a tipping point, with BOD levels soaring to a staggering 90 mg/l.

However, it is downstream of the Shahdara drain near Kalindi Kunj where the situation appears most dire. In January this year, BOD levels there peaked at 127 mg/l, the highest recorded in the past three years.

Such readings offer a grim snapshot of the Yamuna’s condition, particularly as the river exits Delhi and continues its journey through northern India.

Delhi’s treatment plants falling short

To bridge this critical gap, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is developing 12 new STPs, including a 13 MGD facility in Chhawla, southwest Delhi. This will be supported by 11 decentralised plants and several new pumping stations aimed at reducing the untreated outflows from the Najafgarh drain.

Delhi currently operates 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 764 million gallons per day (MGD). However, the capital generates around 792 MGD of sewage daily, meaning millions of gallons still flow untreated into the Yamuna.

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