As the monsoon season approaches, the Delhi Gate drain, which had been covered with concrete slabs at Samta Sthal for nearly 40 years, has been reopened and is currently undergoing extensive desilting. This update was shared by Parvesh Sahib Singh, the Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The removal of the concrete slabs and the ongoing desilting efforts aim to alleviate the persistent flooding and waterlogging issues in vital areas of Central Delhi, including Daryaganj, ITO, Kashmere Gate Ring Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, and their surroundings.<\/p>\n
Out of a total length of 2.5 km, approximately 400 meters of the Delhi Gate drain runs through Samta Sthal, which is the memorial of Babu Jagjivan Ram, a former Deputy Prime Minister. For several years, this section was covered, reportedly for beautification, which led to significant waterlogging during the monsoon. In 2023, substantial flooding affected the Ring Road, ITO, and the vicinity of the DTC headquarters, disrupting traffic for nearly a week.<\/p>\n
Singh remarked, \u201cThe drain that traverses Samta Sthal, which has been sealed off for almost four decades, is now being opened for comprehensive cleaning. The covered structure had long hindered effective desilting, resulting in continuous waterlogging in adjacent areas.\u201d He noted that desilting is currently 70% complete, with over 21,000 metric tonnes of silt removed to date. \u201cThis initiative is about more than just cleaning; it addresses years of neglect and ensures that Delhi can effectively handle the upcoming rains\u2026 This will significantly improve conditions on the ground,\u201d he added while inspecting desilting operations near the Barapullah and Delhi Gate drains.<\/p>\n
According to officials, the 400-meter section of the drain was entirely encased in concrete slabs supported by concrete columns and beams, which prevented any desilting efforts for years. \u201cAs part of the Drainage Master Plan initiated last year, the government is renovating the drains to tackle waterlogging issues. During this work, it was discovered that the Delhi Gate drain had been fully covered with concrete, impeding water flow,\u201d an official stated.<\/p>\n
They further explained, \u201cThe long-covered structure severely limited desilting efforts, leading to frequent waterlogging in the vicinity. For the first time in 40 years, the concrete slabs are being removed to provide full access to the drain, allowing for thorough cleaning and restoration of its capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Delhi Gate drain originates at Daryaganj and empties into the Yamuna after covering a distance of approximately 2.5 km. It serves the drainage needs of Daryaganj, ITO, Rajghat, Mathura Road, Sadar Bazar, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk, as stated by officials.<\/p>\n
At the Barapullah drain, another significant drainage channel managed by the I&FC department, Singh reported that desilting is almost 78% complete, with over 31,000 metric tonnes of silt cleared thus far.<\/p>\n
In reviewing the overall progress of the I&FC\u2019s drainage systems, he mentioned that nearly half of the desilting work for the 77 identified drains has been completed, with over 1.4 million metric tonnes of silt removed. The department has set a target of clearing 2.8 million metric tonnes of silt.<\/p>\n
These ongoing initiatives are part of a broader strategy by the department to enhance Delhi\u2019s drainage infrastructure and reduce disruptions during the monsoon season. Singh emphasized, \u201cOur approach is straightforward: begin early, work with urgency, and ensure timely completion of desilting. The progress observed at Barapullah and Delhi Gate indicates that substantial work is being accomplished, beyond mere documentation. By reinforcing these drains, areas such as Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, Feroz Shah Road, ITO, South Extension, and Okhla are expected to experience considerable relief from waterlogging this monsoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As the monsoon season approaches, the Delhi Gate drain, which had been covered with concrete slabs at Samta Sthal for nearly 40 years, has been reopened and is currently undergoing extensive desilting. This update was shared by Parvesh Sahib Singh, the Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), on Thursday. The removal of the concrete […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6800,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[78,498,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-cities","category-in-delhi","category-india"],"yoast_head":"\n