MCD Accelerates Drain Desilting After Officials Highlight Tender Delays
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has significantly intensified its desilting operations across 793 major drains in the capital. This urgent action comes in response to a recent circular from senior civic body officials expressing serious concerns over the "slow" tendering process at the zonal level. Notably, this acceleration is happening despite the fact that funds worth Rs 36 crore were allocated for this critical work last month.
Addressing Annual Pre-Monsoon Preparations
Desilting work in Delhi follows a strict annual schedule, commencing on January 1st and proceeding in two distinct phases. The first, or pre-monsoon phase, is a race against time, with a hard deadline of June 30th. The subsequent post-monsoon phase continues until December. The recent circular emphasizes that work must now be in full swing to meet the impending June deadline, ensuring the city's drainage system is prepared for the monsoon rains.
Scope, Supervision, and Silt Management
The current project is extensive, targeting 793 drains that collectively span a length of 545 kilometers across Delhi. To ensure accountability and efficiency, supervision of the desilting work has been elevated to the deputy commissioner level. The circular outlines strict protocols for silt management, mandating that extracted silt must be cleared from the drain sites within three to five days. Under no circumstances is silt permitted to remain at the site for more than seven days.
Furthermore, the directive specifies that all collected silt must be transported to designated sanitary landfill sites located at Okhla, Bhalaswa, Ghazipur, and Singhola for proper disposal.
Public Engagement and Complaint Redressal
Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the MCD has established a mechanism for public feedback. Local residents and Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) are encouraged to submit complaints or observations regarding the desilting work via the civic body's toll-free number, 311. According to the circular, contractors are obligated to address and resolve any such complaints within a 15-day timeframe.
The Underlying Challenge of Urban Drainage
This intensified desilting drive addresses a persistent urban challenge. Delhi has long struggled with waterlogging, a problem primarily attributed to clogged drains. This issue stems from a combination of factors, including aging infrastructure, encroachments on traditional drainage pathways, and historically inadequate or delayed desilting efforts. The MCD's current push aims to mitigate these chronic problems ahead of the critical monsoon season.
