New Delhi: Two projects to clean Yamuna at Okhla Barrage, a riverine stretch plagued by heavy froth formation, have yet to move forward.
The correspondence between the two govts’ irrigation and flood control departments, accessed by TOI , shows that Delhi transferred Rs 91 lakh to UP’s irrigation and water resources department for a scientific study by Irrigation Research Institute, Roorkee, to examine ways to reduce turbulence and prevent froth formation downstream of the barrage. However, the study’s action plan, timelines and final feasibility report are still awaited, according to a letter written by Delhi’s chief engineer (irrigation and flood control) to his UP counterpart on Sept 28. The chief engineer, in the letter, pointed out that though Rs 91 lakh has been transferred to UP, the department is yet to provide a definite schedule for completing the study. The delay in taking up this project was also flagged in another letter by Delhi’s additional chief secretary (irrigation and flood control) on Sept 14 to his UP counterpart.
Because certain National Mission for Clean Ganga and NGT guidelines on construction in the zone were coming in the way of it, regarding the Chhath ghat, he said the UP department has returned the money to Delhi.
Replacing a sudden drop-off with a gentler, stepped gradient directly minimises the “plunge and churn” impact of cascading water. Less physical turbulence means fewer air bubbles get trapped by surfactants, suppressing the physical trigger of the foam, said another official. A senior official of the UP irrigation department said once the report of the froth formation study is received, it will be shared with Delhi.
Delhi govt has repeatedly been writing to its UP counterpart — both states are governed by BJP — seeking timelines and intervention to expedite the projects: Building a permanent Chhath ghat at Kalindi Kunj and conducting a scientific study to tackle the froth formation. The study is intended to examine whether structural changes can reduce the turbulence generated by the fall of water from the barrage. This turbulence is one of the factors contributing to froth formation. The letter seeks top priority for the matter and asks UP to share the present status, milestones and a timeline for submission of the final report. He sought personal intervention to ensure both projects were expedited, pointing out that despite the transfer of funds, the study had not progressed and construction of the ghat was yet to commence. As part of constructing the permanent ghat infrastructure near the barrage, structural revamps are designed to alter the concrete slope.