Irrigation Department Plans Scientific Assessment and Desilting of Barapullah Drain Post-Monsoon

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it will conduct a scientific assessment of the silt accumulation in the Barapullah drain after the monsoon season ends. The department aims to initiate desilting operations from January 5 next year, with the work expected to be completed by May 31.

Background and Concerns:

In a report submitted to the NGT on August 5, the Chief Secretary of Delhi highlighted significant obstructions in the water flow within the Barapullah drain. These obstructions, caused by the accumulation of waste and the presence of concrete structures and pipes, have contributed to waterlogging issues in the area. The NGT, in its order dated August 2, expressed disappointment that a critical stretch of the Barapullah drain, from A-7 to B, near the Yamuna River, had not been desilted by any agency, likely exacerbating waterlogging problems.

The tribunal has been hearing various pleas, including one from the Nizamuddin West Resident Welfare Association (RWA), demanding remedial measures for the Barapullah drain and its subsidiary drains, such as Kushak and Sunehripul. These pleas raised concerns about the severe flooding in parts of South Delhi during recent rains, which was attributed to the lack of desilting in the Barapullah drain and its tributaries.

Ongoing Efforts:

In response to the NGT’s concerns, the I&FC department, in a report dated August 12, stated that work on the stretch from A-7 to B has already begun, following the Chief Secretary’s inspection near Outer Ring Road. The department has carried out desilting from Outer Ring Road to the interceptor diversion arrangement at the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Approximately 10,000 cubic meters of silt have been removed from the drain bed so far, contributing to a total of 54,862 cubic meters of silt removed from the Barapullah drain.

The I&FC also mentioned that the obstruction created by the Delhi Jal Board, in the form of diversion arrangements using Hume pipe bridges, has been removed to ensure the free flow of water in the drain.

Future Plans:

The department has sought two months’ time, until the end of the monsoon season, to conduct a thorough scientific assessment of the silt quantity in the drain and to submit an action plan for its removal. The I&FC aims to call for tenders and award the desilting work by the end of this year, ensuring that the operations can begin promptly in January.

Looking Ahead:

The planned desilting of the Barapullah drain is a crucial step in preventing future waterlogging and flooding issues in South Delhi. With the NGT closely monitoring the situation, the I&FC department’s commitment to a scientific approach and timely execution of the desilting process is expected to bring much-needed relief to the residents affected by the recurring monsoon-related challenges.