Press Release

Delhi, July 8, 2019: The ground-breaking ceremony of 564 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) supported by JICA was held at Okhla, Delhi under Yamuna Action Plan Project (III) today. The objective of the Project is to augment sewage treatment capacity by constructing and renovating sewage treatment plants and sewer lines for improved sanitary conditions of the residents. The STP is expected to treat the sewage generated by around 4 million people of Delhi.

Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and Chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti Ministry, Government of India (GOI) inaugurated the construction of the STP. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Mr. Nikhil Kumar, CEO, DJB; Mr. Kenko Sone, Minister (Economic & Development), Embassy of Japan and Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India, amongst other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "JICA has supported construction of STPs and related sewage facilities since 1992 for water quality improvement of Yamuna River. JICA's cumulative support for Okhla STPs is expected to treat more than 20% of wastewater discharged by Delhi citizens. The plant will be equipped with the tertiary treatment facility by adopting SCADA, modern disinfection UV system and sludge management facility. I hope that the plant becomes a good case of high quality infrastructure infused with advanced technologies and great magnitude."

The loan provided by JICA for Yamuna Action Plan Project (III) is 32,571 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 2,000 Crores). The cumulative loan commitment for all 3 phases of Yamuna Action Plan Project is amounting to is 63,677 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 4,000 Crores). The Project supports the construction and rehabilitation of 36 STPs with total treatment capacity of 1,904 MLD in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana through which Yamuna River is running.

In India, JICA has funded 25 water and sanitation projects across the country, amounting to ODA loans worth 752 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 48,000 crores). JICA is supporting the development of water supply and sewage treatment infrastructure for residential, commercial and industrial areas in India. It has also introduced volumetric tariff system for billing water consumption, improved billing, efficient asset management, and enabled non-revenue water reduction. JICA promotes recycling and reuse of wastewater. It has been continuously working to improve sewerage in rural areas, which face health issues due to inadequate sanitation facilities.

Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti Ministry, GOI addressed the gathering at the ground-breaking ceremony.

Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India extending greetings to Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi and Chairman of DJB.

L-R: Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Mr. Kenko Sone, Minister (Economic & Development), Embassy of Japan; Mr. U.P Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), GOI; Mr. R.R Mishra, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga; Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; Mr. Vijay Dev, Chief Secretary of Delhi; Mr. Dinesh Mohaniya, Vice Chairman, DJB; Mr. Shalabh Kumar, Member (WS) and Mr. Arvind Kejriwal (at the podium).

About JICA

Established by a specific law as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to promote international cooperation as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical cooperation, so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Yukari Inagaki/Vini Sharma
+91 11 49097000
Inagaki.yukari@jica.go.jp
sharmavini.id@jica.go.jp