Delhi Government Removes 14 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Silt Ahead of Monsoon Season
In a significant move to bolster flood control measures, the Delhi government has successfully extracted approximately 14 lakh metric tonnes of silt from the city's drainage systems by the end of March. This announcement was made by Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh during an inspection of pre-monsoon desilting operations at the Barapullah drain on Friday.
Minister Inspects Desilting Efforts and Sets Ambitious Targets
Minister Singh emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring proper desilting work from the outset of their administration. "From day one, our government has been working diligently to ensure that drain desilting is carried out effectively. We are now planning to increase our silt removal target for this year," he stated. The minister highlighted that last year, around 20 lakh metric tonnes of silt were removed from all drains across Delhi.
This year, the target has been ambitiously set at 28 lakh metric tonnes, reflecting a proactive approach to monsoon preparedness. Singh claimed that 50 per cent of this year's target has already been achieved, with the remaining silt scheduled for removal in the coming days.
Chief Minister Directs Timely Completion of Desilting Work
In a related development, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted a review of monsoon preparedness the previous day. She issued directives to all relevant departments to ensure that desilting activities are completed by June 30. Additionally, she stressed the importance of transporting the removed silt to designated disposal sites to prevent environmental hazards and maintain urban cleanliness.
The desilting work is being executed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks during the monsoon season. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance Delhi's infrastructure resilience and protect residents from potential waterlogging and flooding incidents.
With the monsoon season approaching, these measures are critical for maintaining smooth drainage flow and reducing the impact of heavy rainfall on the city's daily life. The government's focus on increasing silt removal targets underscores its dedication to improving urban governance and public safety.
