# Yamuna river rejuvenation efforts in Delhi > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/yamuna-river-rejuvenation-efforts-in-delhi > Updated: 2026-10-25T01:53:00.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 3. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 43 water and sewerage projects in Delhi, valued at approximately ₹8,941 crore. These initiatives aim to prevent untreated wastewater from entering the Yamuna river by upgrading existing sewage treatment plants, constructing new decentralized plants, and laying over 1,000 km of new sewer networks. The government has established a target to ensure the full cleaning of the river by May 2029 through coordination between the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Despite these large-scale investments and the recent launch of infrastructure projects, thick layers of toxic foam were observed on the surface of the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj. On October 23 and 24, 2026, thick layers of toxic foam were observed floating on the river surface, with sightings reappearing on Sunday, October 25. While Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to rejuvenation, noting that recent investments follow previous projects worth approximately ₹9,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore, the recurring presence of foam—linked to detergents and untreated wastewater—remains a persistent environmental challenge. This water contamination coincides with a decline in regional air quality, which has prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On October 25, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187, placing the capital in the ‘moderate’ category, though several monitoring stations recorded much higher, ‘poor’ levels. Recent AQI readings have fluctuated between 164 and 187, with high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 identified as primary pollutants. ## Claims - Thick white foam reappeared on the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187 on Monday morning. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated her government has worked on Yamuna rejuvenation for one and a half years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The government inaugurated 43 projects worth ₹8,941 crore for water infrastructure. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). (corroborated by 2 sources) - GRAP-1 prohibits the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels and restaurants. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Diesel generator sets are restricted under Stage 1 of GRAP. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the Delhi government of a tender scam regarding defoamer purchase. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: Delhi faces dual pollution crisis as Yamuna foam returns and AQI rises Delhi faces a dual environmental crisis as toxic white foam reappears on the Yamuna River and air quality levels reach moderate to poor categories, prompting GRAP-1 restrictions. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yamuna-river-toxic-foam-reappears-in-delhi-despite-cleanup-projects ### 2026-10-22: Yamuna River in Delhi covered in toxic foam despite cleanup projects Toxic foam has reappeared on the Yamuna River at Delhi's Kalindi Kunj, despite the government's recent launch of Rs 9,000 crore in rejuvenation and sewerage infrastructure projects. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yamuna-river-shows-toxic-foam-despite-delhi-cleanup-projects ### 2026-10-22: Amit Shah launches ₹8,941 crore Yamuna rejuvenation projects Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched 43 projects worth ₹8,941 crore in Delhi to rejuvenate the Yamuna river, targeting full cleanup by May 2029 through expanded sewage networks and treatment plants. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amit-shah-launches-8941-crore-yamuna-rejuvenation-projects --- Cite as: Yamuna river rejuvenation efforts in Delhi. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/yamuna-river-rejuvenation-efforts-in-delhi