NITI Aayog proposes Yamuna Authority to combine river cleaning efforts

NITI Aayog is proposing to set up a Yamuna river authority with a view to coordinating the work being done by various government departments for cleaning the river, its vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said today.

Kumar further said in case steps are not taken to revive the river, Delhi may face Cape Town like situation.

Cape Town, a coastal city in South Africa is facing a severe water shortage in the region since 2015.

"I don't know how many of us are aware that the huge threat that we are facing in this city because of what is happening to Yamuna river and also what is happening to our ground water situation.

"There could be a situation and I am not exaggerating ,that we could be in the next 15 years and so and completely bereft of water.We may face Capetown like situation. We will try and set up Yamuna River Authority which will combine work of different departments," Kumar said at an event here.

Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation minister Nitin Gadkari was also present at the function.

Kumar further said that NITI Aayog will host a conference on agriculture sector to explore the possibility of reducing cost of production of crops and increasing productivity.

"The way forward in agriculture is zero budget and herbal agriculture rather than the inorganic agriculture.Therefore, I propose to host a summit on agriculture.

"...the cost of production in agriculture must come down. Cost of production 24 out of 26 Indian crops is higher than world's average," the NITI Aayog vice chairman noted.