Why this matters now
Yamuna is tested for: Yamunotri (one of Char Dham) source; flow through HP-Haryana-Delhi-UP; Major tributaries Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Sindh (right) + Tons, Hindon (left); Cultural significance — Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra (Taj Mahal); pollution status (NGT 2017 declared dead between Wazirabad and Okhla); Yamuna Action Plan 1993; Hathnikund Barrage; Tajewala Barrage; Delhi NCT’s 22-km stretch covers only 2% of Yamuna’s length but ~80% of its pollution.
Course
Source: Champasar Glacier on Bandarpoonch peak (6,315 m), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Yamunotri Temple at 3,293 m is one of the Char Dham.
Course states: Uttarakhand → Himachal Pradesh → Haryana → Delhi → Uttar Pradesh.
| City | State |
|---|---|
| Yamunotri | UK |
| Paonta Sahib | HP |
| Yamunanagar | Haryana |
| Hathnikund | Haryana (Hathnikund Barrage diverts water to Western + Eastern Yamuna Canals) |
| Delhi NCT | 22 km stretch; Wazirabad → ITO → Okhla |
| Mathura + Vrindavan | UP — Krishna janmabhoomi |
| Agra (Taj Mahal) | UP |
| Etawah | UP — Chambal joins. |
| Prayagraj/Allahabad | UP — Triveni Sangam: Yamuna+Ganga+(Saraswati) |
Tributaries
Right bank (peninsular):
- Chambal — longest tributary of Yamuna; rises Janapao Hills MP; passes through MP-Rajasthan-UP; Chambal ravines (badlands of Bhind, Morena, Etawah).
- Sindh — rises Vidisha MP.
- Betwa — rises Vindhya Range MP; Orchha.
- Ken — rises Kaimur Hills MP; Panna NP; Ken-Betwa Link Project in progress.
Left bank:
- Tons — largest left-bank tributary by volume; rises Bandarpoonch range.
- Hindon — rises Saharanpur; joins at Noida; among India’s most polluted small rivers.
Pollution + Action Plans
Yamuna in Delhi: 22-km stretch from Wazirabad to Okhla = 2% of Yamuna’s length but produces ~80% of pollution load. 18+ drains discharge sewage and effluents. Najafgarh Drain (Sahibi River) is the largest single polluter.
NGT 2017 ruling: Declared Yamuna in Delhi “ecologically dead” between Wazirabad and Okhla.
| Project | Year |
|---|---|
| Yamuna Action Plan I | 1993 (Rs 700 cr; Japan ODA support; 12 cities) |
| Yamuna Action Plan II | 2004 |
| Yamuna Action Plan III | 2018 onwards; covers Delhi specifically; Rs 1,656 cr Japan loan. |
| NGT direction 2015 | NGT formed Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Plan 2017. |
UPSC angle
Know YAMUNA RIVER — LONGEST GANGA TRIBUTARY 1376 km; SOURCE Champasar Glacier on Bandarpoonch peak 6315 m Uttarkashi UK, YAMUNOTRI TEMPLE 3293 m one of CHAR DHAM; basin 3.66 lakh sq km; flows UK → HP → Haryana → Delhi → UP; HATHNIKUND BARRAGE Haryana diverts to Western+Eastern Yamuna Canals; DELHI NCT 22-km stretch Wazirabad-ITO-Okhla = 2% length but 80% pollution; cities MATHURA+Vrindavan (Krishna)+AGRA Taj Mahal+Etawah (Chambal joins)+PRAYAGRAJ TRIVENI SANGAM Yamuna+Ganga+Saraswati; RIGHT TRIBUTARIES Chambal (longest Yamuna tributary, Janapao Hills MP, Chambal ravines Bhind Morena Etawah)+Sindh+Betwa (Vindhya MP Orchha)+KEN (Kaimur Hills MP Panna NP, KEN-BETWA LINK PROJECT); LEFT TRIBUTARIES Tons (Bandarpoonch largest by volume)+Hindon (Saharanpur, India’s most polluted small river); POLLUTION: NGT 2017 declared ECOLOGICALLY DEAD Wazirabad-Okhla, Najafgarh Drain (Sahibi River) largest polluter; YAMUNA ACTION PLAN I 1993 Rs 700 cr Japan ODA 12 cities; YAP II 2004; YAP III 2018 Delhi Rs 1656 cr Japan loan; NGT Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Yamuna originate?
At Champasar Glacier on Bandarpoonch peak (6,315 m), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Yamunotri Temple at 3,293 m is one of the Char Dham pilgrimages.
What are the major tributaries of Yamuna?
Right bank (peninsular): Chambal (longest), Sindh, Betwa, Ken. Left bank: Tons (largest by volume), Hindon. Chambal joins Yamuna at Etawah.
What is the Triveni Sangam?
The sacred confluence of Yamuna + Ganga + the mythical Saraswati at Prayagraj — site of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Why is Yamuna so polluted?
Delhi’s 22-km stretch (2% of length) produces ~80% of total pollution. 18+ drains incl. Najafgarh discharge sewage. NGT declared the Wazirabad-Okhla stretch ecologically dead in 2017.