In view of the upcoming monsoon in Delhi, preparations have been intensified. Here, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Pravesh Verma on Wednesday inspected the ongoing de-silting works in Moti Nagar assembly constituency and reviewed the ongoing pre-monsoon preparations in the capital. This inspection is part of a larger campaign under which senior officers, chief engineers and field teams across Delhi are conducting physical verification of roads, drains and other critical infrastructure, so that citizens do not have to face waterlogging and related problems during the rains.
The Delhi government says that the review revealed significant progress in the work done by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), which reflects the comprehensive efforts being made by the Delhi government ahead of the monsoon. PWD completed about 90% of the work of de-silting of drains.
According to the latest progress report of PWD, the department has completed de-silting of 1,900.15 km of drains out of total 2,125.87 km long drains, which is 89.38 percent of the total target. This comprehensive campaign is being run with the aim of ensuring smooth flow of rain water, removing blockages in drains and reducing the possibility of waterlogging on major roads. Irrigation and Flood Control Department has crossed the historical figure of removing 30 lakh metric tonnes of silt. Irrigation and Flood Control Department has achieved a remarkable achievement in the de-silting campaign this year. Last year the department had removed about 19 lakh metric tonnes of silt, whereas this year this figure has increased to 30,91,242 metric tonnes.
This achievement includes:
* 2,84,655 metric tons of silt was removed from 21 major drains.
* 12,77,172 metric tons of silt was removed from Najafgarh drain alone.
* A total of 15,61,827 metric tons of silt was removed from 22 major drains.
* 15,29,415 metric tons of silt was removed from 55 tributary drains.
Overall, desilting work of 30.91 lakh metric tonnes has been completed, which will significantly improve the drainage capacity, ensure faster flow of rain water and help in reducing the chances of floods and waterlogging.
During the inspection, Minister Pravesh Verma said that despite having a maintenance contract, the actual status of the works can be assessed only by going to the ground level. Today our senior officers, chief engineers and field teams across Delhi are inspecting roads and drains before the monsoon, we have two-year running maintenance contracts, but the actual status of work can be assessed only by visiting the spot. Therefore, today officials are conducting inspections in various assembly constituencies. All 70 assembly constituencies of Delhi will be inspected in the next 10 to 15 days.
The minister said that ensuring accountability is the priority of the government. Our objective is clear that the citizens of Delhi do not have to face waterlogging during the rains. Every drain, every road and every sensitive place is being reviewed. Wherever deficiencies are found, corrective action will be taken immediately. There will be no compromise of any kind with quality and preparation.
Pravesh Verma said that the Delhi government is working on the policy of preparing in advance instead of reacting after the crisis. Under this, constant monitoring, coordination between departments and field level inspections are being ensured so that citizens face minimum inconvenience during monsoon.
The record level of de-silting, extensive monitoring campaign and accountability based methodology reflects the Delhi Government's commitment to make the capital safer, efficient and waterlogging free.
