In order to deal with the menace of waterlogging during the monsoon season, the Delhi Government has started developing relevant infrastructure in the national Capital at 147 hotspots identified by the Public Works Department (PWD) to prevent flooding.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a high-level review meeting on Monday to discuss the Delhi Drainage Master Plan. In the meeting, it was decided that the Government will rope in consultants to look after the Najafgarh Basin as well as the trans-Yamuna and Barapulla Basin.
The move aims at resolving Delhi’s drainage problems. Kejriwal also laid focus on bringing the entire project under the purview of one agency. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who holds the PWD portfolio, as well senior officials of the department. The officials presented the whole action plan to the Chief Minister and also apprised him of the timelines of the appointments of consultants.
Kejriwal said, “The problem of drainage and waterlogging affects every citizen of Delhi. If the Delhi Government can look after the whole project we will be able to overcome significant challenges and make the system world-class.”
There are about 2,846 drains in Delhi. Their length totals to about 3,692 kilometres. A major part of these drains comes under the PWD. Delhi is divided into three major natural drainage basins, trans-Yamuna, Barapullah and Najafgarh. In addition, there are also some small drainage basins in Aruna Nagar and Chandrawal, which drain directly into the Yamuna.
Kejriwal further directed officials to make necessary preparations to seek approvals from all agencies concerned so that the Delhi Government can take the responsibility of the whole project. The Chief Minister has also directed officers to resolve the problem of waterlogging during heavy rains soon. For this purpose, necessary changes will be made in every wastewater drain and storm water drain so that even during heavy rains, better drainage can be ensured and the problem of waterlogging can be resolved, the office of the Chief Minister said in a statement.
In the meeting, a detailed action plan for augmenting 24-hour and clean tap-water supply to all households in Delhi was discussed. The Chief Minister was informed of the progress in the repair and construction of new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
“The project for the construction of the STP at the Coronation Pillar has already been completed, whereas the one in Okhla will be completed by December 2022. STPs with a total capacity of 239 MGD will be added by June 2023. The progress of projects for the up-gradation/augmentation of the existing STPs and CETPs, including the industrial drains was also discussed,” it said.