Noida residents depend on water tankers amid two polluted rivers

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has declared the Hindon River a “dead river.” This means the pollution levels are so high that not even fish or other aquatic life can survive in it. Sadly, the Yamuna is in no better shape. Untreated sewage is regularly dumped into it in Delhi, ruining the river’s quality before it flows into Uttar Prades

Scientific tests show how severe the pollution really is. At Okhla Barrage in the Yamuna, the level of dissolved oxygen (DO)—which is crucial for aquatic life — is just 2.1 mg/litre. In the Hindon at Kulesra Village, Greater Noida, the DO is zero. This is far below what’s considered safe, not just for drinking but even for supporting fish or plants.

Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain, said that the “rivers are now so polluted that their water can’t even be used for farming or to support wildlife.” She has called for urgent action to treat sewage and control pollution.

The harmful bacteria in the water is shocking. The Yamuna and Hindon contain 200,000 and 3.9 faecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, respectively, in the same amount of water. As per the experts, 50 is the safe limit. Water woes continue in Noida, and people are facing all the hardships.