In a decisive move on August 13, 2025, the Delhi government requested the Centre to deploy the Territorial Army along the Yamuna River to combat pollution, encroachment, and illegal dumping, as announced by Water Minister Parvesh Verma. This unprecedented appeal underscores the urgency of restoring the Yamuna’s ecological health and reflects growing concerns over the river’s deteriorating condition in the national capital.

Delhi Government Seeks Territorial Army to Protect Yamuna

Immediate Action to Save a Vital Lifeline

The Delhi government has formally asked the Centre to deploy the Territorial Army (TA) along the banks of the Yamuna River in Delhi, aiming to safeguard the waterway from rampant pollution, illegal dumping, mining, encroachment, and theft. This request, confirmed by Water Minister Parvesh Verma on August 13, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the city’s efforts to restore the Yamuna, which remains a crucial but heavily polluted river flowing through the capital.

“We do not want to impose fines but aim to educate people about why they should not throw rubbish into the Yamuna and why they should conserve water,” Minister Verma stated, emphasizing the government’s preference for awareness over punitive measures.

Why the Territorial Army?

The Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force is recognized for its expertise in environmental protection and restoration. The Delhi government believes that their deployment will provide the necessary manpower and discipline to prevent illegal activities along the riverbanks and ensure sustained monitoring.

A senior official from the Ministry of Defence noted, “An official communication regarding such is not known to us yet, but yes, if asked, the Territorial Army’s arm, Ecological Task Force, is dedicated to such tasks and is capable of protecting the River Yamuna.”

Key Aspects of the Initiative

Deployment Scope: The TA will be tasked with guarding the Yamuna against dumping, mining, encroachment, and theft.
Education Campaign: Alongside military deployment, a citywide campaign will educate residents on the importance of river preservation, aiming to foster community participation and long-term behavioral change.
Three-Year Target: The government has set a three-year goal to achieve significant improvements in the river’s cleanliness and ecological health.

Table: Territorial Army’s Proposed Role vs. Previous Efforts

Aspect	Territorial Army Deployment (2025)	Previous Civic Measures
Enforcement	Military discipline, patrols	Civic fines, municipal monitoring
Focus	Pollution, encroachment, theft	Mainly pollution control
Public Engagement	Education campaigns + enforcement	Awareness drives, limited reach
Timeline	3-year targeted improvement	Ongoing, with mixed results

Background and Context

The Yamuna River has long been plagued by severe pollution, largely due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and rampant dumping of solid waste. Despite multiple cleanup drives and legal interventions, the river’s condition has continued to deteriorate, prompting the government to seek extraordinary measures such as military involvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force?
It is a specialized unit trained for environmental protection, including afforestation, river restoration, and anti-pollution activities.

How will the Territorial Army coordinate with local authorities?
The TA is expected to work alongside Delhi’s municipal bodies and police, ensuring integrated enforcement and monitoring.

Has the Territorial Army been deployed for similar tasks before?
Yes, the TA’s Ecological Task Force has previously worked on projects like afforestation and river rejuvenation in other Indian states.

What penalties exist for polluting the Yamuna?
Current laws impose fines, but enforcement has been inconsistent, prompting the shift towards education and stricter monitoring.

Will this initiative affect local communities living near the river?
Authorities plan to involve local communities in awareness campaigns and ensure their cooperation in the river’s protection.

Key Takeaways

The Delhi government’s request for Territorial Army deployment to protect the Yamuna River signals a bold, urgent response to persistent environmental challenges. By combining military discipline with public education, the initiative aims for a transformative impact within three years. Citizens are encouraged to support these efforts and participate actively in preserving the city’s vital waterway.