In a proactive move to mitigate the annual monsoon chaos, the Public Works Department (PWD) in New Delhi has unveiled a significant plan to upgrade the city's stormwater drainage infrastructure. The department aims to leverage the current dry season to execute critical improvements across several key locations that are notoriously vulnerable to heavy flooding.
Four Major Projects to Combat Waterlogging
The comprehensive strategy involves four major projects with a combined budget exceeding Rs 3.8 crore, all slated for the 2025-26 financial year. The focus is squarely on stretches that routinely suffer during the rains due to a combination of heavy traffic, dense activity, or natural low-lying terrain.
One of the identified trouble spots is the Savitri Cinema Road, a vital neighbourhood connector. Here, water accumulation during downpours frequently spills onto the carriageway, causing traffic snarls and damaging the road surface. To address this, the PWD has allocated Rs 65 lakh for drainage improvements at multiple points between the S and W blocks.
Focus on Industrial Zones and School Safety
Another critical project, with an outlay of Rs 67.2 lakh, targets the service lane running from the DJB Gate in Okhla Phase I to the SLF Gate on SA Road. This area, lined with industrial units, sees constant movement of goods vehicles. Poor drainage here leads to overflowing water, severely hampering access for workers and even emergency vehicles. The planned work will strengthen the drainage system and add necessary structural support.
Student and commuter safety is the priority for a Rs 96.6-lakh upgrade near the LSR red light and Blue Bells School in south Delhi. This is one of the most congested zones in the capital, where any waterlogging instantly triggers massive traffic pile-ups. The project involves widening, deepening, and correcting the slope of the existing drains to ensure swift water runoff.
Central Delhi's Major Drain Repair
The most expensive undertaking in this series is the repair of a damaged stormwater drain in the heart of the city. With a cost of nearly Rs 1.5 crore, this project will fix the drain running from the Shantivan red light service lane to the Vijay Ghat drain. This repair is crucial for preventing large-scale water accumulation in central Delhi during intense monsoon spells.
By initiating these works in the dry season, the PWD hopes to complete the bulk of the construction and repair before the next monsoon arrives. The success of these projects could bring much-needed relief to daily commuters, local businesses, and residents in these flood-prone pockets of the national capital.
