Yamuna bank project put on fast-track

New Delhi: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) director general,  Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, on Saturday inspected the Yamuna River-Front Development (RFD) project being implemented by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Mr Mishra accompanied by other officials visited the sites that fall in the area being developed as first phase of the project on the western bank of Yamuna spreading from Old Railway Bridge to ITO barrage. Mr Mishra asked the officials to expedite work.The NMCG director general also made a detailed inspection of the place near Vijay Ghat, the team took stock of the progress of work at locations near DTC depot and the abandoned Rajghat power plant. The DDA officials apprised Mr Mishra of the future plans.

A senior NMCG official, said the comprehensive project to restore, rejuvenate and revive Yamuna floodplains was approved by the principal committee, formed by the NGT. “The project has been named, Asita, which is another name of Yamuna,” he said.

The project envisages creating a green buffer area of 300 metres wide along the river edge with species of riverine ecology. Besides, a wide belt of 150 metres along the peripheral roads will be developed as greenways for public amenities that will include a trail of pathways and cycle tracks.

Wetlands will be created to store flood waters and to improve the groundwater recharge which will eventually result in flourishing of biodiversity in the floodplains.