NDMC Rolls Out Smart Irrigation to Transform Lutyens' Delhi
New Delhi Municipal Council takes a bold step forward in urban sustainability. The civic body announces plans to implement its first smart irrigation system across Lutyens' Delhi this year. This initiative targets three critical urban challenges: water conservation, air pollution reduction, and sustainable landscaping.
Phase One: Covering 19.3 Kilometers of Key Roads
Phase I of the project will cover 11 major roads spanning approximately 19.3 kilometers. These include stretches around Nehru Park, Peshwa Road, Mandir Marg, RK Ashram Marg, and Bhai Veer Singh Marg. NDMC strategically selected roads located near Sewage Treatment Plants to minimize infrastructure costs and ensure reliable supply of treated water.
The council will lay pipelines from decentralized STPs to irrigate multiple green spaces. These include:
- Green belts along roadsides
- Central verges dividing traffic lanes
- Roadside plantations
- Landscaped public areas
The system will feature hydrants for washing trees and nozzles at various locations for efficient water distribution.
Smart Technology for Maximum Efficiency
NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Chahal explains the system's automation. "Smart controllers will optimize irrigation schedules based on actual requirements," he states. This approach promises to significantly reduce water wastage. The civic body expects to cut treated water usage for irrigation by nearly 70%.
Chahal highlights additional benefits beyond water conservation. "It will also cut costs incurred on water tankers and manpower," he notes. "More importantly, reduced movement of tankers will help bring down pollution levels in the capital."
NDMC floated a tender for Phase I at a cost of Rs 16 crore. Work is expected to be awarded by March, with completion likely within six to nine months.
Expansion Plans and Infrastructure Upgrades
Phase II will extend the smart irrigation network to 11 more roads covering 19.1 kilometers. The estimated cost for this phase is Rs 16.5 crore. Additional roads include:
- Maharishi Raman Marg
- Lodhi Estate lanes
- Max Muller Marg
- Subramaniam Bharti Marg
- San Martin Marg
- Jesus and Mary Road
Five major parks will also join the system:
- Lodhi Garden
- Talkatora Garden
- Children's Park
- Sanjay Lake
- The park behind Satya Sadan
Boosting Water Treatment Capacity
Anticipating higher demand for treated water, NDMC floated tenders for five new Sewage Treatment Plants. These facilities will have a combined capacity of 2,250 kiloliters per day at a cost of Rs 57.2 crore. Commissioning is expected by November 2026.
Plant locations include:
- Ashoka Road
- Rajendra Prasad Road
- Bharti Nagar
- INA metro station
- Bapu Dham
Four plants will generate 500 KLD each, while the Bapu Dham unit will have 250 KLD capacity. NDMC has proposed eight more STPs on a public-private partnership model. This expansion will bring the total number of STPs in NDMC area to 25.
Sewer Infrastructure Rehabilitation
NDMC plans substantial upgrades to sewer infrastructure. Key projects include:
Major Sewer Line Rehabilitation: The council proposes rehabilitation of the 2,100mm twin brick barrel sewer line from C-Hexagon to Lodhi Road via Zakir Hussain Marg, Golf Course, and Subramaniam Bharti Marg. This two-phase project will cost Rs 77 crore for each phase.
Smaller Line Upgrades: Cleaning and rehabilitation of a 450mm sewer line from Sardar Patel Marg to Shanti Path via Panchsheel Marg using CIPP technology has been proposed at Rs 8 crore.
Additional Projects: Rehabilitation of the 1,100-1,200mm sewer line on Ashoka Road from Nirvachan Sadan to C-Hexagon is planned at Rs 19 crore. The council also plans cleaning and rehabilitation of the brick-barrel sewer from Kushak Nallah to Aurobindo Marg at a cost of Rs 23 crore.
This comprehensive approach positions NDMC at the forefront of sustainable urban management in India's capital. The smart irrigation system represents a significant investment in Delhi's environmental future while addressing practical concerns about resource efficiency and pollution control.
