New Delhi, April 6 : on Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has directed the officials to complete all the work related to all the Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) in the national capital by December 2022. Under the Namami Gange programme, a total of 11 projects for treatment of 1268 MLD sewage have been taken up at a cost of Rs. 2009 crore to conserve the river Yamuna. The major share of these projects is being borne by the Central Government through the Namami Gange Programme. These projects are targeted to create a total treatment capacity of 1268 MLD in the catchment area of Coronation Pillar (Coronation Pillar STP completed), Kondli, Okhla and Rithala in Delhi. These projects are targeted to be completed by December 2022. The Minister on Wednesday also inspected the 564 MLD Okhla Sewerage Treatment Plants, which is currently being constructed under the Yamuna Action plan-III. As per the cost sharing arrangement, 85 per cent of the cost is borne by the central government under the Namami Gange Programme and 15 per cent by the state government. The total sanction cost of the Okhla STP project is Rs. 665.78 crore. Talking about the project, the on Minister said that considering the situation in Delhi, it has been directed to expedite the STP works in Delhi, keeping in mind the December 2022 timeline. “After December 2022, a difference will certainly be felt in the quality of water in River Yamuna in Delhi,” the Minister said in a statement. “Okhla STP is the biggest sewage treatment plant in Asia and after construction of this 564 MLD, there will be a considerable improvement in the water quality of River Yamuna,” said the official statement. It said, “Being an integrated project, the sludge management has also been included in the scope of the work as per which the sludge will be properly disposed of in a scientific manner addressing the environmental-related issues. JA GK