New Delhi [India], July 17 (ANI): In a decisive step in direction of restoring the lifeline of the capital, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) below the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Government of NCT of Delhi, organised an Inception Stakeholder Workshop on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam to kickstart the preparation of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Delhi.
The workshop marked the formal initiation of an built-in planning strategy aimed toward cleansing and rejuvenating the Yamuna River. The initiative introduced collectively representatives from 14 key departments and businesses, comprising a Multi-Stakeholder Group constituted by the Department of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi. The workshop aimed toward fostering a shared understanding amongst completely different stakeholders concerning the URMP strategy and the method to be adopted to develop the URMP for Delhi.
In his opening remarks, Director General NMCG, Rajeev Kumar Mital, highlighted the pressing want for an built-in and collaborative strategy to rejuvenate River Yamuna.
He emphasised that the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) should transcend being only a doc, serving as an alternative as a dynamic planning and motion instrument grounded in scientific understanding, risk-based evaluation, and lively stakeholder participation. The framework, he added, is designed to seize the holistic essence of the river and embed river-sensitive pondering into Delhi’s city planning for long-term sustainability.
Dharmendra, Chief Secretary, Government of Delhi, in his keynote deal with, delivered a stark message: ‘Yamuna improves, Delhi improves.’
He referred to as for pressing, seen outcomes, and confused on a sensible and implementable plan because the essence for Yamuna rejuvenation. He underlined the river’s function as town’s lifeline, urging stakeholders to embrace accountability — from upgrading drain remedy and sewage infrastructure to rekindling Delhi’s relationship with the river.
He expressed want for an pressing motion from all stakeholders for river delicate city growth of Delhi. He confused on use of URMP framework for catalysing sustainable growth of metropolis and bettering the standard of lifetime of the residents of the National Capital.
Keynote speaker Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, talked about that ‘A wholesome Yamuna will result in a wholesome life for the individuals of Delhi,’ stressing that water administration is now central to the city expertise within the period of local weather change. Mukherjee referred to as Urban River Management Plan (URMP) to be greater than only a stand-alone doc and urged for a collective and sustained motion involving the federal government, media, accomplice establishments, and residents alike, to convey the river again to life and construct a resilient future for the capital.
Delivering a particular deal with, Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, spotlighted the deepening India-Netherlands partnership in water administration.
She emphasised the importance of worldwide collaboration in tackling city water crises and introduced the upcoming Centre of Excellence on Urban Water Resilience–a three way partnership with NMCG and IIT Delhi which can play a key function in URMP preparation. Gerards additionally highlighted the function of inventive public engagement and praised the River Cities Alliance (RCA) for galvanizing collective motion round river well being. She emphasised that the Dutch idea of Water as Leverage will be built-in within the URMP framework to make it extra strong and sensible.
Representatives of World Bank Rebecca Epworth introduced out case research from Australia for Urban River Management and talked about that it was heartening to see the weather of URMP would obviate a few of the errors which occurred in Australian city planning and growth reminiscent of stakeholders’ involvement and shared duties, presence of an institutional framework and so forth. World Bank expressed its dedication and help for URMP preparation.
Representatives of IIT (Delhi) talked about the significance of knowledge in URMP course of significantly that associated to flood danger evaluation and administration. IIT (Delhi) will give attention to Urban Flooding side of URMP. Professor C. R. Babu talked about the significance of Nature Based Solutions and give attention to biodiversity as a key to Yamuna rejuvenation.
The workshop introduced an in depth overview of the URMP’s construction and roadmap. It emerged that the plan, will probably be ready collectively by NIUA and IIT Delhi and can be supported by the upcoming Centre of Excellence with Dutch collaboration. The URMP would purpose to deal with air pollution, enhance wetland administration, encroachments, and promote water reuse by way of coordinated, multi-agency interventions. Notably, the plan will probably be monitored by way of the brand new Urban River Management Index, monitoring enhancements throughout ten key domains. The challenge is ready to culminate in actionable initiatives and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), funded by way of a mix of presidency, viability hole, and ULB assets.
The workshop featured interactive classes, quizzes, and actions, underscoring the significance of public participation in river revival. It was confused that the success of the URMP hinges on broad-based engagement and sustained, cross-sectoral cooperation. With at the moment’s workshop, Delhi indicators its resolve to reclaim the Yamuna–not simply as a water physique, however as the guts of a resilient and vibrant metropolis.
As the workshop concluded, the message echoed with readability and conviction–Delhi is able to reclaim the Yamuna, not simply as a river, however as the guts of town’s id and resilience. The Urban River Management Plan marks a transformative shift from fragmented efforts to a unified, action-driven imaginative and prescient for river restoration.
Backed by scientific perception, international cooperation, and empowered citizen participation, this initiative guarantees greater than environmental revival–it indicators a cultural and civic awakening. The rejuvenation of the Yamuna just isn’t a distant hope, however a daring, collective journey that has already begun.
The occasion was presided over by Chief Secretary of Delhi, Dharmendra and Secretary (DoWR) Debashree Mukherjee was Guest of Honour for the occasion. Other distinguished audio system and individuals included Director General (NMCG) Rajeev Kumar Mital and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India. Marisa Gerards, Chief Executive Officer; (DJB) Kaushal Raj Sharma, Rebecca Epworth (World Bank); Laura Sustersic, Project Director (GIZ); Rajiv Ranjan Mishra (Chief Advisor, Water and Environment, NIUA); Sandeep Mishra, Member Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee; Debolina Kumdu, Director (NIUA); and Prof. C.R. Babu, Prof. Emeritus, University of Delhi. (ANI)