Delhi To Launch New Drainage Master Plan Under ‘Seva Pakhwada’

Delhi is set to unveil a new Drainage Master Plan on Friday as part of the ongoing ‘Seva Pakhwada’ celebrations marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal will launch the plan at an event presided over by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

This initiative aims to upgrade the city’s ageing drainage infrastructure to better manage rainwater and reduce flooding in low-lying areas.

Delhi’s current drainage network, over 50 years old, struggles to cope with heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm per day, often resulting in temporary water accumulation.

The last comprehensive master plan dates back to 1976, highlighting the urgent need for modernisation. The city’s drainage operates across three main basins: Najafgarh, Barapullah, and Trans Yamuna.

Authorities have received draft recommendations for the Najafgarh basin, but are still awaiting reports for the other basins.

The government clarifies that not every instance of rainwater pooling constitutes waterlogging, defining the latter as water persisting on roads for over four hours. The new plan seeks long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Integrated Command Centre to Boost City Management

Ahead of the monsoon season, CM Gupta established an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to centralise monitoring and management of key city services, including traffic, water supply, and sanitation.

The ICCC will enable real-time situational awareness and coordination among departments, particularly during emergencies.

Chief Minister Gupta emphasises the mission-driven approach to infrastructure development, “Our aim is to bring long-term and concrete improvements to Delhi’s infrastructure. Every department is instructed to adopt a result-oriented approach.”

The administration has identified 194 waterlogging-prone zones across various agencies, including PWD, NHAI, DMRC, and MCD.

Short-term remedial work is complete in 129 of these locations, with the remaining sites set for urgent attention.

CM Gupta highlights the government’s commitment to making Delhi a safer, cleaner, and more accessible city. She aims to eliminate persistent issues of waterlogging, traffic congestion, and security concerns.

With this comprehensive master plan and enhanced monitoring capabilities, Delhi aims to provide relief to residents and modernise its infrastructure for a more resilient future.

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