Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 12: In a major and far-reaching initiative to strengthen Delhi’s drainage infrastructure, the Delhi Government under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched large-scale construction and expansion of four major drains as part of the city’s ‘Drainage Master Plan’, aimed at transforming the national capital into a modern and developed metropolis.

The four key projects include the Mundka Halt–Supplementary Drain, MB Road Storm Water Drain, Kirari–Rithala Trunk Drain, and the storm water drain along Rohtak Road (NH-10). The government has accelerated work on these major trunk drains to address the long-standing problem of waterlogging across several parts of the city.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the original drainage and sewerage master plan for Delhi was prepared in the 1970s and was not revised despite rapid population growth and extensive construction activity. As a result, the city’s drainage situation worsened over the years. She said the present government has introduced effective changes keeping in mind Delhi’s geography, population pressure and recurring waterlogging issues, and new infrastructure is now being built accordingly.

Emphasising that the true identity of a global city lies in a robust and scientific drainage system, Gupta said priority has been given to areas that have suffered for years due to waterlogging, overloaded sewer lines and related problems. She expressed confidence that these long-pending issues will now be resolved, bringing significant relief to residents.

To tackle drainage issues in Kirari, Mundka, Bawana and Nangloi Assembly constituencies in West Delhi, a 4.5-km-long trunk drain is proposed parallel to the railway line. The project, being implemented by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, is estimated to cost Rs 220.93 crore and will handle rainwater from a catchment area of 1,520 acres. The drain will have a discharge capacity of 760 cusecs to ensure smooth flow even during peak monsoon periods.

The drain will originate near Mundka Halt Station, run along the railway corridor and merge with the Supplementary Drain. Water from several secondary drains along the route will also be integrated, creating a unified drainage system. The project will be executed within railway land limits, for which an MoU has already been signed. It is expected to be completed within 15 months after administrative and financial approvals are granted.

In South Delhi, where waterlogging has been a persistent issue along the stretch from Lado Sarai T-Point to Pul Prahladpur, the MB Road Storm Water Drain project has been incorporated into the master plan. The project covers a road length of 11.38 km, with drains spanning 22.76 km on both sides. Estimated at Rs 387.84 crore, the project will be executed by the Public Works Department and is scheduled for completion within 2.5 years.

Officials said the project is crucial as existing drains in many areas are either damaged or inadequate. Provisions have also been made for the transplantation or felling of around 500 trees, construction of footpaths, and shifting of electricity, Delhi Jal Board and other utility services.

Another key project is the construction of a 7.2-km-long trunk drain from Kirari to Rithala in North-West Delhi. The Delhi Development Authority project, costing Rs 250.21 crore, has a designed discharge capacity of 1,160 cusecs. Around 600 metres of work has already been completed, while the remaining work, earlier stalled due to pending permission for felling of 84 trees, has now resumed after the issue was resolved.

Meanwhile, improvement work on the storm water drain along Rohtak Road (NH-10) is being carried out on a war footing. The PWD project involves construction and strengthening of drains on both sides from Kirari Suleman Drain near Nangloi Railway Metro Station to Hirankudna Drain, and from Tikri Border to Hirankudna Drain. The project has an estimated cost of Rs 184 crore, of which Rs 105 crore has been provided by the Centre under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ scheme for 2025-26. It is targeted for completion by March 2026.

The Chief Minister said Delhi’s ‘Drainage Master Plan’ has been designed keeping in view rapid urbanisation, climate change and rising population pressure. Its objective is to enhance the capacity of major trunk drains, ensure swift discharge of rainwater into the Yamuna, reduce stress on the sewerage system and provide a permanent solution to waterlogging.

She added that these initiatives mark a decisive step towards making Delhi’s drainage infrastructure future-ready and will offer lasting relief to large parts of the capital from recurring monsoon-related problems.