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.