Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 22: In a move aimed at strengthening flood management ahead of the monsoon, the Delhi government plans to undertake a silt removal exercise in the Yamuna at the ITO barrage, officials said on Wednesday.

The proposed work will focus on deepening the existing water channel beginning from the left bank near the barrage to improve flow and reduce flood risks.

Officials said the ITO barrage was among the worst-hit locations during the 2023 floods, which affected areas including ITO, Ring Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Rajghat.

Heavy silting and malfunctioning of five barrage gates had contributed significantly to flooding at the time, they said.

An official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said care would be taken to ensure no obstruction to the free flow of water during the exercise.

“It will be ensured that no hindrance is caused to the free flow of water in the trench. No silt should be taken away from the floodplain, and the water channel after work should be of regular size,” the official said.

During the devastating floods in July 2023, the Yamuna touched a record high flood level of 208.66 metres at the Old Railway Bridge, surpassing the previous record of 207.49 metres set in 1978.

According to an Irrigation and Flood Control Department report, some gates at the east end of the barrage could not be opened at peak water levels, causing pressure to build up and floodwaters to spill into roads, colonies and low-lying areas between Wazirabad and ITO.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting and directed departments to complete desilting of drains on schedule while ensuring special arrangements at identified flood-prone locations.

The desilting exercise is part of broader efforts to prevent a repeat of the 2023 flood crisis.