New Delhi: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved two sewage treatment projects worth a combined ₹924 crore in Delhi, aiming to expand wastewater treatment capacity and reduce untreated sewage entering drains linked to the Yamuna.
The proposed plants at Rohini and Pappankalan will add a combined treatment capacity of 49 million gallons per day (MGD). The projects form part of the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) broader strategy to improve sewage management through upgrades to existing treatment plants, decentralised facilities and new plants designed to intercept sewage flowing through drains.
However, the projects will address only part of the problem. Additional treatment schemes will be needed to manage sewage that falls outside the capacity of the two proposed plants.
Rohini and Pappankalan Projects Worth ₹924 Crore
The proposed Rohini wastewater treatment plant will have a capacity of 35 MGD and an estimated cost of ₹642.43 crore. The Pappankalan plant will add another 14 MGD at an estimated cost of ₹281.61 crore.
Both plants will be constructed within the premises of existing sewage treatment facilities, allowing the Delhi Jal Board to use its available land and infrastructure.
Under the reported funding arrangement, NMCG will bear the capital expenditure through the Namami Gange programme, while DJB will cover operational expenditure for 15 years.
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Rohini Plant to Target Sewage from Five Areas
The proposed 35 MGD Rohini wastewater treatment plant will be built on approximately 7.5 hectares of Delhi Jal Board land within the existing 25 MGD plant premises.
It will cater to Kirari, Begumpur, Budh Vihar, Raja Vihar and Shahabad. Work on the associated sewerage network and pumping stations is already under implementation.
The plant is expected to intercept sewage from 21 drains and sub-drains in its catchment. By capturing and treating these flows, the project aims to reduce untreated sewage discharge into the Supplementary Drain and the Yamuna.
Its impact will depend on the timely completion of connected sewerage infrastructure and the effective interception of sewage flows.
Pappankalan Plant to Serve 4.5 Lakh People
The proposed 14 MGD Pappankalan wastewater treatment plant will be constructed within the existing 20 MGD plant premises. It is expected to serve around 4.5 lakh people by 2043.
However, the project report indicates that the additional capacity will address only part of the untreated sewage problem in the area.
Of the seven identified drains, three currently discharge approximately 18.7 MGD of untreated sewage. The proposed plant will intercept seven MGD from the Palam drain, while the remaining 11.7 MGD is proposed to be handled through separate decentralised sewage treatment plant schemes.
These additional facilities will be important to addressing the wider sewage load. Without them, some untreated sewage could continue to enter drains and contribute to Yamuna pollution.
Delhi’s Three-Pronged Plan to Improve Sewage Management
The two NMCG-approved projects form part of the third component of DJB’s wider sewage management strategy. The plan combines upgrades to existing plants, decentralised treatment facilities and new plants to capture sewage flowing through drains.
Upgrading Existing Sewage Treatment Plants
Delhi has 37 existing sewage treatment plants included in the upgrade programme. Work on 28 has been completed, while nine still require further work.
Upgrading these facilities is intended to strengthen the city’s existing infrastructure and improve its ability to process sewage.
Building Decentralised Treatment Plants
The second component involves setting up 29 decentralised sewage treatment plants in outer areas. These facilities are intended to serve unauthorised colonies and villages that lack sewer networks.
Decentralised treatment can help address gaps in areas where connecting every locality to a centralised sewerage system remains challenging. Its effectiveness will depend on the completion, operation and maintenance of the proposed facilities.
Intercepting Sewage Flowing Through Drains
The third component focuses on constructing treatment plants that capture sewage flowing through drains before it reaches the Yamuna or other water channels.
DJB has planned 13 projects under this component, with another three to four potentially being added. The Rohini and Pappankalan plants are part of this programme and have received NMCG approval.
Capturing sewage before it enters drains is essential because untreated wastewater can bypass existing treatment systems and flow towards the river.
Why Additional Projects Matter for Yamuna Pollution
The ₹924 crore investment will expand Delhi’s sewage treatment infrastructure, but additional capacity alone cannot guarantee cleaner river water.
At Pappankalan, the proposed plant will intercept seven MGD from the Palam drain, while separate decentralised treatment schemes will need to address another 11.7 MGD identified in the project report.
At Rohini, the planned interception of sewage from 21 drains and sub-drains will require coordination with sewerage networks and pumping stations.
The broader challenge is to ensure that sewage is collected, transported and treated reliably rather than discharged into drains. Authorities will need to complete the linked infrastructure and maintain the treatment plants to deliver the intended environmental benefits.
Funding and Implementation Will Shape the Outcome
Under the reported arrangement, NMCG will fund construction through the Namami Gange programme, while DJB will pay operating expenses for 15 years.
The funding arrangement supports the construction of new infrastructure, but the long-term results will depend on effective operation, maintenance and sewage collection.
The approvals mark a step towards strengthening Delhi’s wastewater management system. However, the remaining untreated flows identified at Pappankalan underline why the wider sewage management plan is equally important.
For residents, the intended benefits include improved sewage management and reduced untreated discharge into drains. For the Yamuna, progress will depend on whether authorities complete the additional treatment systems needed to address sewage across the wider catchment.
The ₹924 crore investment expands Delhi’s capacity to treat wastewater, but its ultimate impact on river pollution will depend on execution across the entire sewage network.
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