The Centre may have assured the Yamuna Muktikaran Abhiyan protesters that the “ecological flow” in the river will be restored in Delhi, but experts say this can’t be done without revisiting the 1994 water sharing agreement between Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. 

They suggest that the central government should review the MoU to leave at least some fresh water to the river which can help revive life in it. The reason Yamuna is dead in Delhi in other downstream areas because almost all of its freshwater flow from Yamunotri is diverted at Hathnikund barrage in Haryana to meet drinking water and irrigation needs of the five states. What is left is sewage and industrial effluents, most of which is untreated. 

Officials from Upper Yamuna River Board told TOI that the 1994 MoU has an inbuilt clause that it can be revisited only after 2025. The other reason why the ministry of water resources cannot intervene is because the allotment for states was done by a high-powered committee set up by the Supreme Court.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Review-1994-water-pact-to-revive-Yamuna-Experts/articleshow/46670178.cms