The Ministry of Urban Development(UDM) has asked officials of Delhi and Haryana to undertake a joint inspection of the Najafgarh drain over the next two days for undertaking desilting if required as a part of measures to be taken up to prevent flooding in Gurugram that created a havoc last year. This was decided at a high level meeting, chaired by Secretary (Urban Development) Durga Shankar Mishra, to discuss reasons that caused last year's flooding and measures to be taken to prevent its recurrence.
Sources said that the meeting was convened further in view of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar's request to Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in a recent letter to facilitate such a discussion in the matter. "The outcome of the joint inspection will be reported to Mishra by Monday for further consideration and for undertaking necessary measures. Officials of Delhi Government have assured that if required, machines will be deployed immediately for desilting the Najafgarh drain to enable smooth flow in the drain," sources said.
At the meeting, Uma Shankar, Municipal Commissioner of Gurugram gave a detailed account of the flood water flow into Gurugram including from Aravali hills, network of three natural drains available that carry this flow into Najafgarh, measures taken up in the light of last year's flooding and further measures to be taken up. He further informed that in the backdrop of last year's experience, the National Highway Authority of India has doubled the water carrying capacity of the culvert under the NH passing through the city and the ongoing works including widening of the drains that carry the water flows from Aravalis into Najafgarh drain.
While the Delhi officials stated that the Najafgarh drain has huge carrying capacity to drain out flood waters from Gurugram, the city commissioner and other Haryana officials referred to the possible silting in Najafgarh drain that is preventing free flow of flood waters from Gurugram.
Heavy rainfall in Gurugram had created a flood-like situation last year, which forced the police and administration to issue instructions to Dilliwalas to avoid visiting the city to reduce congestion on the roads connecting Gurugram.
A high level committee set up by the Urban Development Ministry found that the three drains (Bajghera, Dharampur, and Badshahpur) that would divert water away from the city were "under construction". Water was being diverted through smaller drains, whose capacity did not suffice during the rains. Of more concern is the blocking of natural drainage pathways through construction activity and encroachment on catchment areas, riverbeds and lakebeds.