In a significant move to address chronic monsoon woes, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday conducted a thorough inspection of the ongoing desilting work at the Sunehri Nullah. She asserted that this long-pending project will finally provide relief to several south Delhi colonies from decades-old waterlogging problems.
Massive Desilting Drive to Combat Waterlogging
During her visit, the Chief Minister examined the 1-km-long drain, also referred to as the Barapullah drain. The authorities have so far removed an impressive 14,000 metric tonnes of silt. The ambitious target is to extract a total of 50,000 metric tonnes before the onset of the next monsoon season.
Gupta pointed out that the accumulation of silt over the years, due to a lack of proper outlets and slab systems, has severely worsened flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods. The desilting operation is currently being executed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
In a crucial decision, the Chief Minister announced that an audit will be conducted. This audit will investigate how the drain was originally constructed without a sustainable and long-term cleaning mechanism, leading to the current crisis.
Progress Review of Barapullah Phase-III Corridor
Alongside the drain inspection, CM Gupta also reviewed the progress on the major Barapullah Phase-III elevated road project. This 13.3-km corridor is designed to connect Sarai Kale Khan with Mayur Vihar-I.
The six-lane, signal-free road is expected to drastically improve connectivity between south and east Delhi. It is projected to ease traffic congestion on key routes like NH-24, DND Flyway, and Ring Road, benefiting approximately 1.5 lakh commuters daily.
The project boasts inclusive infrastructure, featuring a 4.3-km cycle track and a 500-metre-long six-lane extradosed bridge with dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma, present during the review, stated that the project is now under close monitoring to ensure it is completed on time.
A Dual Focus on Infrastructure and Civic Relief
The Chief Minister's inspection tour underscores a two-pronged approach to Delhi's infrastructure challenges. The immediate focus is on providing monsoon relief through the desilting of Sunehri Nullah, a critical step to prevent the annual disruption caused by waterlogging.
Simultaneously, the push for the Barapullah Phase-III corridor represents a long-term vision to decongest the city's traffic and enhance urban mobility. The integration of cycling and pedestrian paths highlights a modern approach to sustainable urban planning.
The success of these projects, particularly the desilting work meeting its 50,000-tonne target before the rains, will be closely watched by residents who have endured flooding issues for years.
