Flood Prevention Priority: NGT Orders Urgent Desilting of Delhi Drains

NGT Orders Delhi Government to Complete Desilting of 24 drains by May 31 to Prevent Flooding
In a major effort to prevent Delhi from experiencing the flooding this monsoon, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) of the Delhi government to finish desilting 24 city drains by May 31, 2025. Desilting of the drains needs to be carried out in order to prevent the issue of flooding in the majority of areas which experience water overflow during rain.

The NGT's February 21 order was in response to a report submitted by the I&FCD on the desilting work carried out. The report had also mentioned the timelines for desilting the 24 drains that drain into the Yamuna River. The drains have in the past led to huge waterlogging and flooding, especially in the congested areas around the outlets.

The NGT noted that, according to the I&FCD submission, the majority of the desilting work in 24 drains is to be completed by the end of May. This also entails major drains like Moat Drain at Vijay Ghat, where desilting work is nearly complete with 84.92% work done. Similarly, all the other drains like Civil-Military Drain (78.51%), Maharani Bagh Drain (50.24%), and Abul Fazal Drain (49.21%) have developed considerably with their desilting work.

But the NGT was also worried about the drains where not much work has been undertaken on their desilting. These are Sonia Vihar Drain, where 0.08% of desilting has been completed, Shastri Park Drain (0.34%), and others like Sen Nursing Home Drain (0.54%) and Kailash Nagar Drain (0.55%). Non-shifting of these drains would pose grave flood threats to residents who live along these drain courses during the monsoon.

The NGT bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava observed that the matter is of immediate concern, and they further stated that if the desilting process is not done within the stipulated time, Delhi can be hit by severe waterlogging and drainage overflow during the monsoon season. It would also aggravate the flood issues of most people during the rainy season.

To oversee compliance with the deadline, the tribunal ordered that the Additional Chief Secretary of I&FCD provide a written assurance on or before February 25 to the effect that the desilting will be completed on time. The I&FCD has also been ordered to report on the desilting at the next hearing, i.e., February 27, to the tribunal.

The direction is given in response to a series of events of flooding in different areas of Delhi, including the residential settlements that are in proximity to the Yamuna River and the adjoining drains. Waterlogging has always been an issue in the city in the majority of areas, leading to the hindrance in the movement of traffic and dilapidation of public facilities very often. Desilting will increase the flow of water through the drains and prevent water from overflowing to the surrounding areas.

The NGT's intervention action places the priority on the need for prompt repair and renovation of infrastructure so that Delhi would be better placed to withstand the challenges of its rainy season. The tribunal order piles the pressure on the I&FCD to step up the work in a bid to finish it within the deadline of May 31, stern punishment in store otherwise.

As one of the flood-mitigating measures, I&FCD will ensure its maintenance and desilting activities on the drains are not hindered, in a bid to clear silt and debris left on them. The desilting will enhance the capacity of the drains to drain off freely water during rains, thus preventing flooding in the low-lying areas.

The order of the tribunal also brings to light the need for greater coordination between government departments and organizations responsible for flood control and drainage management. The I&FCD has been directed to ensure that every measure necessary to complete the work by the specified date is initiated and future delay in the work is avoided.

With the monsoon season only a few months away, success or failure of the desilting operation will be closely monitored. The NGT has already cautioned that it would initiate action if work is not completed on schedule, emphasizing timely and effective flood management in the capital city. The second hearing of the tribunal on February 27 will once again examine the desilting operation, and the I&FCD will be required to submit its actions in meeting the deadline of May 31. The NGT has also stated that it would continue to monitor the situation so that the people of Delhi are not subjected to the worst of the flood woes that have plagued the city for the last few years.

Source: National Green Tribunal Official Records