Delhi to expand sewage treatment to 1,500 MGD by 2028

The Delhi government announced plans to expand sewage treatment capacity to nearly 1,500 million gallons per day by 2028, targeting untreated wastewater discharge that contaminates the Yamuna river. The phased initiative, overseen by the Delhi Jal Board, raises compliance and monitoring expectations for urban water infrastructure and creates opportunities for private participation in water technology deployment.

The Delhi government announced plans to expand sewage treatment capacity to nearly 1,500 million gallons per day (MGD) by 2028, targeting long-standing Yamuna river pollution. Untreated wastewater discharge remains the primary contributor to river contamination, as current sewage generation exceeds treatment capacity in several zones. The plan, building on infrastructure managed by the Delhi Jal Board, proposes a phased expansion commissioning new plants with advanced tertiary treatment while upgrading existing facilities, supporting both centralized and decentralized treatment systems and promoting treated wastewater reuse to reduce freshwater extraction.

The Delhi Jal Board oversees execution, supported by state-level funding allocations and coordination with urban development bodies. Industrial, construction, and horticultural sectors are affected, as treated wastewater is targeted for reuse in these applications. New plants focus on advanced treatment technologies, including tertiary treatment, to ensure higher water quality before discharge or reuse. The initiative integrates rehabilitation of aging sewer networks to reduce leakages alongside stricter monitoring of drain-level pollution sources and illegal discharge points feeding into the river, combining infrastructure delivery with enforcement.

Water infrastructure operators, technology providers and private investors should track the multi-phase implementation extending to 2028, since the plan creates opportunities for private sector participation in water infrastructure, operations, and technology deployment. Authorities acknowledged that treatment capacity alone cannot achieve river rejuvenation without addressing last-mile connectivity and illegal discharge points. Affected entities should monitor real-time monitoring system rollout and enforcement measures, as expanded capacity lowers pollution liabilities and aligns with national missions on clean rivers and sustainable urban development.

Key figure — Sewage treatment target: nearly 1,500 MGD capacity by 2028