https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Shailaja Chandra’s 2.5-Year Fight to Hold Polluters Accountable on the Yamuna

Shailaja Chandra, as co-chairperson of the Yamuna Monitoring Committee, spearheaded a multi-state initiative to combat pollution in the Yamuna River, earning commendation from the National Green Tribunal.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Shailaja Chandra’s illustrious 38-year career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is marked by groundbreaking achievements, from pioneering governance reforms to leading critical environmental initiatives. Her leadership as Chief Secretary of Delhi and her relentless dedication to public health and the environment exemplify her extraordinary contribution to India’s development.

At just 21, Shailaja Chandra joined the IAS, beginning her career in Maharashtra before transferring to the Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre after marriage. Over her career, she served in pivotal roles across the Ministries of Defence, Power, and Health. Her early exposure to energy policy, including coal, solar, and wind power, proved invaluable during her tenure as Joint Secretary in the Department of Power.

Her ascent to Chief Secretary of Delhi was equally groundbreaking, making her the first—and only—woman to hold the position since its inception.

Championing Yamuna Restoration

In 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed Shailaja Chandra as co-chairperson of the Yamuna Monitoring Committee. Tasked with overseeing efforts to reduce pollution in the heavily contaminated Yamuna River, she played a pivotal role in coordinating 16 stakeholders across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Key achievements of the committee included:

  • Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Ensuring the establishment of STPs to treat domestic and industrial waste.
  • Effluent Management: Monitoring Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and enforcing the “polluter pays” principle for industries dumping waste into the river.
  • Waste Management: Addressing solid waste dumping in Yamuna’s drains and creating systems for accountability.
  • Bio-Diversity Projects: Reviving 10 stalled biodiversity projects by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), ensuring they reached completion.
  • Comprehensive Reporting: Submitting five extensive reports to the NGT detailing delays, lapses, and actionable solutions.

The NGT accepted all recommendations made by the committee over a 2.5-year period and commended Chandra and her team for their meticulous work and unwavering commitment to the cause. In conversation with Indian Masterminds, she talks about the challenges in cleaning Yamuna even after the efforts. Link Here : 

Transforming the Health Sector

During her eight years (1991–1999) in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Shailaja Chandra implemented critical national health programs. Her tenure as Secretary (Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy) stood out as a rare case of an IAS officer achieving continuity and impact in a single ministry.

Life After IAS: Continuing to Serve

Post-retirement, Shailaja Chandra remained active in public service, taking on leadership roles in government assignments and engaging with NGOs, the media, and advisory boards. Her unwavering focus on governance, environmental stewardship, and public health has left an indelible mark on India’s policy landscape.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Haryana Police Martyrs
Two Haryana Police Officers’ Suicides Spark Social Media Frenzy: DGP Calls It ‘Feeding America’”
Haryana IPS Y Puran kumar suicide
Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar Suicide Case: High Court Adjourns PIL Seeking CBI Probe
Tripura Cadre IAS Transfer
Tripura IAS Shake-Up: Two Officers Transferred to Madhya Pradesh & Himachal Pradesh After Marriage!
Green Diwali campaign
Swachh, Shubh & Green: Forest Ministry Backs WWF-India’s Eco-Friendly Diwali Under Mission LiFE”
Police Commemoration Day 2025
Brave Guardians Honoured: Raksha Mantri Lays Wreath at National Police Memorial on Police Commemoration Day — A Salute to India’s Police & Paramilitary Heroes
R.K.Tyagi
Powering India’s Future: POWERGRID CMD R.K. Tyagi Honoured with Doctor of Science by PEC Chandigarh
Punjab & Haryana High Court judge transfers
Judiciary Buzz: Supreme Court Transfers Three Punjab & Haryana High Court Judges in Key Administrative Move
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve safari vehicles controversy
Exclusive Resort Vehicles Trigger Legal Storm in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve – High Court Questions Government Policy
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Haryana Police Martyrs
Two Haryana Police Officers’ Suicides Spark Social Media Frenzy: DGP Calls It ‘Feeding America’”
Haryana IPS Y Puran kumar suicide
Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar Suicide Case: High Court Adjourns PIL Seeking CBI Probe
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT