New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) More than 16.48 lakh cubic metres of silt was removed from 76 large drains as part of monsoon preparedness in Delhi, Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Thursday.
The irrigation and flood control department has removed nearly 48 per cent of silt from the Najafgarh drain system, which is one of the most flood-prone zones in Delhi. In the remaining 55 drains, around 63 per cent of desilting has been done, he said.
“Our priority is clear: Before the monsoon arrives, every critical drain must be cleaned and made functional. We are not leaving things for the last moment. Work is being monitored closely at every level,” Singh said.
According to official figures, desilting work across 76 drains has reached 57.68 per cent completion, with more than 16.48 lakh cubic metres of silt already removed against a total target of 28.57 lakh cubic metres.
“We have strengthened both manpower and machinery. The idea is to ensure that during heavy rainfall, water does not accumulate and disrupt daily life. This is about preparedness, not reaction,” Singh said.
The progress is particularly significant in critical stretches. Work on 21 priority drains has already crossed 76 per cent completion, indicating near-readiness ahead of the rains.
“Alongside desilting, the irrigation and flood control department is also strengthening its mechanical capacity. A comprehensive procurement plan worth over Rs 94 crore is underway to deploy advanced equipment for drain cleaning and maintenance,” the minister added.
This include 38 specialised machines such as draglines, long-boom hydraulic excavators, amphibious excavators and dredgers-designed specifically for deep and wide drains, he added. PTI SSM SSM RUK RUK RUK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.