Delhi government has intensified extensive preparations to deal with the problem of waterlogging before monsoon. In this sequence, Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Friday conducted site inspection of two important IFCD drains, Delhi Gate Drain and Barapula Drain. During this time, the speed and seriousness of the work going on at the ground level became clearly visible.
In a significant progress Delhi The gate drain, which was covered with a slab for almost 40 years, is now completely opened and is being thoroughly cleaned. Due to it being covered for a long time, effective cleaning of this drain was not possible, due to which there was frequent problem of waterlogging in the surrounding areas. For the first time in four decades, full access is being made to the drain by removing the slab, so that its capacity can be restored.
The minister said that more than 70% of the desilting work in Delhi Gate drain has been completed and more than 21,000 metric tons of silt has been removed so far. The work is progressing rapidly with the deployment of machines and workers.
The desilting work on Barapula drain, which is a major IFCD drainage channel, is almost 78% complete, where more than 31,000 metric tons of silt has been removed so far. This progress shows that timely and focused efforts are being made to fully prepare the major drains before the monsoon.
Reviewing the overall progress, the Minister said that out of the 77 identified drains, about 50% desilting work has been completed and more than 14 lakh metric tons of silt has been removed so far. The department has set a target of removing 28 lakh metric tonnes of silt this year, work is going on continuously to complete it within the stipulated time.
During the inspection, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said that this is not just cleaning of drains, but an effort to rectify years of neglect. Delhi Gate drain, which was covered for almost 40 years, is now being opened and cleaned properly. This will see real change at the ground level.
The minister further said that our aim is clear, to start the work before time, work fast and complete it within the stipulated time. The progress being made at Barapula and Delhi Gate shows that work is not being done only on paper, but on the ground. With the strengthening of these two drains, areas like Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, Feroze Shah Road, ITO, South Extension and Okhla are expected to get major relief from waterlogging this monsoon.
The Minister also clarified that this year the desilting work in IFCD drains is being strictly monitored at every level, so that there is no delay or negligence and the work is completed on time with quality.
This campaign of Delhi Government is an important step towards strengthening the drainage system of the capital and reducing the problems faced during monsoon, in which work is going on at a fast pace on all the major drains.
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