The Yamuna River, once a sacred lifeline of Delhi, now faces severe ecological decline along its 22-kilometre stretch in the capital- contributing to over 76% of its total pollution load. This report by Primus Partners combines technical analysis with deep community engagement to offer a people-first roadmap
for revival.
Our team surveyed the full stretch of the river and spoke to various cohorts, fisherfolk, boatmen, priests, farmers, and informal settlers, whose lives are closely tied to the Yamuna. Their stories reveal a loss not just of livelihoods, but of cultural identity and emotional connection to the river. Yet, they also reflect resilience and a strong desire to restore this vital waterway.
The report identifies untreated sewage, failing infrastructure, and fragmented governance as key contributors to the crisis. It proposes a two-pronged strategy: bold systemic reforms- such as a Yamuna Cleaning Board, sewerage upgrades, and water reuse policies- alongside grassroots-led action through cultural programming, micro-grants, and community-managed ghats.
Yamuna’s revival must go beyond engineering- it must rebuild trust and reforge people’s relationship with the river. This report offers a practical, inclusive path forward-where the Yamuna is no longer a drain, but a shared legacy worth protecting.
