No Floods This Monsoon: Inside Delhi's Big Plan to Solve Old City Waterlogging

Waterlogging hotspots in central Delhi, including ITO, Daryaganj, and Kashmere Gate, are likely to see relief this monsoon as the long-covered Delhi Gate drain is being opened for the first time in nearly 40 years for deep cleaning. These areas witnessed severe flooding in 2023. The move aims to restore the drain’s carrying capacity and improve stormwater flow.,“We are fixing long-pending bottlenecks to ensure places like ITO do not face the same flooding this year,” said irrigation and flood control minister Parvesh Verma.

“The Delhi Gate drain, which had remained covered with slabs for nearly 40 years, is now being opened up for thorough cleaning.””,Also Read | When It Rains, It Floods: Why Delhi Is Drowning More Often - And It’s Not Just the Weather,The 2.5-km drain originates in Daryaganj and flows into the Yamuna, serving a dense and flood-prone stretch of the city. For decades, a 400-metre section passing through Samta Sthal park remained covered with concrete slabs, restricting proper desilting.,,“For the first time in four decades, the slabs are being dismantled to allow complete access to the drain, enabling deep cleaning and restoration of its carrying capacity,” Verma said.,Desilting Work Gains Pace Across City,Authorities have deployed heavy machinery to remove silt accumulated over decades.

According to the irrigation and flood control department, desilting of the Delhi Gate drain has progressed to over 70%, with over 21,000 metric tonnes of silt cleared. Work is ongoing in the remaining stretches near Gandhi Darshan and downstream areas.,Officials said restoring the drain is key to preventing waterlogging in areas like Feroz Shah Road, Jama Masjid and near the Supreme Court., ,In July 2023, the Yamuna rose to a record 208.66 metres, inundating parts of Delhi and forcing the evacuation of over 23,000 people. While flooding was triggered by the river, clogged drains worsened the situation.,“When key outfall drains like Delhi Gate are choked, stormwater has nowhere to go, leading to severe waterlogging even with moderate rainfall,” an official said as per TOI.,Desilting of the Barapulla drain is also underway, with 78% completed and over 31,000 metric tonnes of silt removed.

Across Delhi, nearly half of 77 identified drains have been desilted so far.,Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Delhi, Delhi Weather & AQI and around the world.