Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has directed the Delhi Development Authority to revive 32 historic ghats at Yamuna Bazar and to start work in a phased manner within six months. At a review meeting, Sandhu was informed that the DDA has removed 88,574 metric tonnes (t) of construction and demolition waste and 4,998 t of municipal waste from the Yamuna floodplains and reclaimed around 1,425 acres of floodplain land.

He was told restoration and riverfront development works had been completed across nearly 1,700 hectares of the Yamuna floodplains. The LG charted a roadmap for the revival of the 32 ghats and directed the fast-tracking of projects with sustained inter-agency coordination.

Sandhu instructed officials to expedite approvals and complete preparatory activities to enable phased commencement of restoration and redevelopment within the next six months while ensuring strict adherence to timelines. The Yamuna Bazar revitalisation project is being taken forward in coordination with the agencies concerned and includes landscaping, improved pedestrian connectivity and visitor amenities designed to strengthen public access.

He reviewed a study by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage for conservation-led interventions that outline landscaping approaches and heritage-sensitive design. The integrated riverfront development strategy emphasised the potential of spiritual tourism, heritage conservation, green spaces and flood resilience in developing the Yamuna riverfront as an important cultural and public destination for Delhi.

DDA officials said over seven million (mn) native trees were planted and 10 million riverine grasses and wetland species were introduced across the floodplain ecosystem, and 35 wetlands with a cumulative water-holding capacity of nearly 1,420 mn litres have been developed. These measures were described as strengthening groundwater recharge, enhancing biodiversity, reinforcing the floodplain's natural ability to moderate flood impacts and creating livelihood opportunities as part of a flagship urban transformation programme reconnecting citizens with the river.