‘Delhi polluting Yamuna more than Haryana’

NEW DELHI : The level of ammonia in Yamuna has breached the safe limit in 13 of 17 places between Haryana and Delhi from where the Central Pollution Control Board had collected water samples for analysis.

Even though Delhi government had moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday, accusing the Haryana government for rising ammonia pollution in the river, the CPCB report revealed that most of the ammonia was coming from drains in Delhi.

In some drains, such as the ones at Delhi Gate, Najafgarh and Sonia Vihar, the ammonia level was at least 35–45 times higher than what the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is equipped to treat. The highest pollution on Haryana’s side was found to be in downstream Khojkipur at Panipat. It was around 10 times above the limit.

The DJB can treat river water in which ammonia level is less than 0.9 ppm. CPCB scientists said human and animal waste in the river water is one of the primary factors behind the rising ammonia levels.

“CPCB scientists monitored the Yamuna, drains and water treatment plants on Wednesday and Thursday to ascertain the concentration of ammonia. The highest pollution was found in Delhi Gate drain followed by the Sonia Vihar drain, the Najafgarh drain and the ITO barrage,” said a senior scientist of the CPCB.

Following the report, the NGT on Friday directed the chief secretaries of Delhi and Haryana to hold a meeting on February 20 and come up with a solution.