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Shri Yamuna Ji Purification
Introduction
The River Yamuna is considered one of the most sacred rivers in India. Yamuna Ji,
according to the Shastras, was the daughter of Surya, the Sun God, and sister to
Yama, the God of Death. Yamuna Ji is intimately connected to Lord Krishna's pastimes.
He sanctified the Yamuna Ji from the beginning of His transcendental pastimes in
the world. Yamuna Ji is also called Patrani of Lord Krishna. Hundreds of Sanskrit
verses have been composed by saints in the glorification of this river. Every morning,
water is taken by the priests of several prominent temples of Vrindavan for bathing
the deities in brahma muhurat. Most of the devotees of Krishna start their day by
taking a holy dip into this river. Yamuna Ji is also the central water source in
Braj Dham.
Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around New Delhi,
which dumps about 57% (3,296 million liters per day) of its waste into the river.
Though numerous attempts have been made to clean it, the efforts have proven to
be futile. At present, Yamuna Ji has been declared a “dead river” by the Ecological
Department of India, because of the excessive amount of coliform bacteria and other
pollutants. The river which provides drinking water to many is not even safe for
animals, birds, and fishes. If one devotee visits Yamuna Ji, and desires to take
“Aachman” (a sip of holy water) or wishes to take a bath in it, needs to think twice.
The smell is horrendous; there are visible feces, and an unlimited amount of bacteria.
It is even said, that if one takes Aachman for 10 days straight, they will very
likely get seriously ill.
Cleaning Initiative
Shri Maan Mandir Seva Sansthan Trust has initiated the efforts of cleaning the Yamuna
Ji, which started with the desire of Shri Ramesh Baba Ji Maharaj, a few months ago
to bring Yamuna ji back to its previous glory. This seemed to an impossible task
given the socio-political and financial constrains and the fact that Yamuna ji when
it leaves Delhi is no more than a sewage drain.
Still a team of some experts was put together namely:
- Mr. Nigam – Retd. Chief Engr., UP Jal Nigam and presently a consultant for Yamuna
Action Plan 3 (To be completed by the Government between Yr 2009-12, supposed to
cater for loads up to Yr 2045).
- Mr. J. L. Rakheja – Retd. Chief Engr. UP Irrigation.
- Dr. B. K. Guha – Retd. Prof IIT Delhi.
- Mr. Rajesh Jain – Alumini IIT Delhi and Owner of Enhanced WAPP Systems.
- Mr. K. K. Kanji – Very Senior Civil Engr. presently with M/s Shapoorji Pallonji
& Co. Ltd. and Ex DGM Simplex Construction Co.
Initial discussion and studies led to a decision to go for aeration of river water,
to increase the Dissolved Oxygen (D.O) levels to acceptable bathing standards.
A very loose estimate was put together at this stage by Mr. Nigam estimating the
total cost to be few Hundred Crore Rupees (You might have seen those slides). This
seemed to be unacceptable price to everyone involved from our side. Then we came
across floating type aerators from M/s Aeration Industries International (AII) USA
and found that by installing these aerators, the total cost could be brought down
to the range of Rs 10 Crores.
There could be many ways for treatment of river water and lot of studies are required
to arrive at the right technology and the exact cost estimates.
In the last 2 months 3 site visits have been made including a visit by Mr. Brian
J. Cohen of AII to Vrindavan and Sher Garh, the proposed site of installing the
floating aerators. 8 - 10 water samples have been tested for basic parameters.
The latest meeting with the experts suggests that we can start the cleaning initiative
by installing a 2 MLD Soil Bio-technology based treatment plant (patent of IIT Mumbai)
including UV Treatment arrangement on the banks of River Yamuna at Vrindavan near
Kesi Ghat to treat a big sewage drain which is merging with the river right at the
main bathing ghats. This will cost approx Rs. 3 Crores (The exact quotations will
be available only after more studies of water nutrients, toxicity, pathogens and
some other parameters). This will show a remarkable difference on the above mentioned
bathing ghats of Vrindavan.
We also need to measure river cross-sections between Sher Garh and Vrindavan (Approx
cost Rs 5 Lakhs and time required 1 month) to check the river flow parameters.
Budgetory Price Estimates
Yamuna Water Sample Report - Shergarh
(Where Yamuna Ji Enters Braj)
Yamuna Ji Survey Report - Cleaning Before Vrindavan
Other useful information
Shri Yamuna Ji - Before it enters Delhi
Shri Yamuna Ji - After it leaves Delhi
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