The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has reported surpassing its pre-monsoon desilting target by mid-June, achieving 118.8% desilting across 793 drains wider than four feet. Against the Phase-I target of removing and transporting 1.4 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of silt, the civic body cleared 1.7 lakh MT.
Desilting Operations and Targets
Officials stated that directions have been issued to lift silt deposited on roadsides to prevent waterlogging and transport it to the city’s three landfills or the Singhola silt disposal site. In a departure from previous years, the exercise also covered unauthorised colonies. The desilting target has steadily increased—from 65,165 MT in 2023 and 68,183 MT in 2024 to 1.1 lakh MT in 2025, marking a nearly 28% increase over last year.
Two-Phase Plan for 2026
The civic body has adopted a two-phase desilting plan for 2026, with a total target of 2.3 lakh MT of silt removal. Phase I aimed to remove 1.4 lakh MT before the monsoon, while Phase II proposes removing 92,129 MT by end of December. Officials noted they are ahead of the Phase-I target, with inspections ongoing and nodal officers directed to take immediate action where issues arise.
Estimation and Monitoring
Civic agencies estimate pre-monsoon desilting volume by calculating drain cross-sectional area, measuring sediment depth, and factoring in historical accumulation trends, catchment size, and urban runoff data. Engineering teams conduct surveys from January to May to assess silt accumulation, taking measurements at fixed intervals and comparing with previous years’ data to determine annual targets. Most desilting work in major drains has been outsourced, while MCD’s engineering department monitors progress to ensure completion before the monsoon.
Equipment and Challenges
Contracted agencies use excavators, mechanised equipment, and manual labour to remove silt. Once dry, the silt is transported to sanitary landfills. For smaller drains, nullah beldars have been instructed to clear floating waste daily. However, MCD expressed concern over sewer connections discharging into several drains, hampering maintenance efforts. MCD has issued a list of drain-wise nodal officers to oversee drain functioning during the monsoon. Arrangements are being made at nine identified waterlogging hotspots to mitigate flooding and ensure swift response during heavy rainfall. For the first time, heavy-duty suction pumps will be deployed at vulnerable locations for immediate relief.
Coordination with Other Departments
Raising concerns over delayed cleaning of the disused canal drain connecting Karkari Mor to the SDM office in east Delhi, MCD wrote to the Public Works Department (PWD). The drain carries significant discharge from Shahdara south zone, and MCD requested round-the-clock cleaning operations with heavy machinery and adequate manpower. MCD also corresponded with the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department regarding desilting of covered drain stretches at Dabri and Sewa Nagar. At Sewa Nagar bus depot, a 1.2-km covered section was to be cleaned by I&FC using specialised techniques, with repeated reminders sent.
