New Delhi: Two projects to clean Yamuna at Okhla Barrage, a riverine stretch plagued by heavy froth formation, have yet to move forward.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 two projects have run into a jurisdictional hurdle as Okhla Barrage and Yamuna’s downstream stretch, where the froth formation is frequently reported, are owned and maintained by the UP irrigation department, respectively.Delhi has arranged funds for both the projects, but their execution depends on action by UP govt, claimed a senior Delhi govt official.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 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 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 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.The second project is the construction of a permanent Chhath ghat on the right bank of Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj, downstream of Okhla Barrage. Delhi govt has sanctioned Rs 68.4 crore for the work and transferred the amount to UP as deposit money, given that the land falls under the jurisdiction of the latter’s irrigation department.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. 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.The department also forwarded an MoU for the Chhath ghat project to UP. In a letter dated Aug 27, Delhi’s executive engineer sent two copies of the updated MoU, incorporating suggestions made by the UP department, for its signature and return. Further correspondence by Delhi in Sept again sought the signed document for records and further action.A senior Delhi govt official said, “The repeated reminders underline the coordination challenges between the two states. While Delhi has made financial provisions and initiated the administrative process, it continues to depend on UP for the next steps.”As part of constructing the permanent ghat infrastructure near the barrage, structural revamps are designed to alter the concrete slope. 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.Yamuna’s froth is the thick, white foam that forms on the river’s surface when pollutants, particularly detergents and other surfactants in sewage, mix with water and get agitated. The problem becomes particularly visible around Okhla Barrage, where the fall of water creates turbulence, causing the foam to accumulate downstream.The construction of the ghat does not directly eliminate the pollutants, but it functions as a highly strategic engineering intervention and resource diversion to drastically reduce froth formation in specific target stretches.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. Regarding the Chhath ghat, he said the UP department has returned the money to Delhi because certain National Mission for Clean Ganga and NGT guidelines on construction in the zone were coming in the way of it.
