Delhi LG Governor directs agencies to urgently carry out desilting of drains

New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Delhi LG VK Saxena on Thursday chaired a meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to review the flood control preparedness of all concerned agencies and directed them to urgently carry out the work of desilting of drains and removal of encroachment along the drains in the wake of the incidents of heavy waterlogging across the national capital.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi was present at the meeting.

At the outset, the LG took stock of the flooding due to a breach in the Munak Canal in North West Delhi, especially the Bawana area. The CEO- DJB, who had come from the site for the meeting, informed that the breach was being repaired at a war footing and would be completed by Friday evening.

The LG directed the concerned agencies- Irrigation & Flood Control Department (I&FCD), PWD, MCD, and NDMC to carry out extensive desilting of the drains, which should have been completed by June 15, and clear all choked drains on an urgent basis.

LG Saxena directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which is coordinating with various construction agencies for the removal of debris and construction material from the Yamuna floodplains, to ensure that there is no obstruction in the flow of the Yamuna due to the construction of bridges and other activities in the floodplains.

VC (DDA) informed the LG that all agencies have almost removed all their machinery and construction material from the Yamuna and huge quantity of debris and construction waste have been cleared from the river.

The DDA will conduct a thorough inspection of river Yamuna in the Delhi Region on July 13, 2024 to assess and ensure that the flow of the Yamuna does not get obstructed at all during the monsoon.

The LG directed all agencies particularly the PWD, Railways and NCRTC to expedite and remove all their equipment and waste from the Yamuna at the earliest.

The LG particularly pointed out the heavy deposit of C&D waste in the Yamuna near Signature Bridge in North Delhi, which is a highly vulnerable point during the flood. He directed the PWD, I&FCD and Tourism Department to immediately take up the cleaning of the stretch.

LG was informed that 29 teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), equipped with over 100 boats, are deployed in and around the Delhi region to carry out relief and rescue work in case of flood.

The decision to install permanent and temporary pumps at vulnerable spots was taken during the meeting. The agencies have been directed to constantly monitor the waterlogging hotspots across the Capital in case of heavy rains.

Critically vulnerable areas like Monastery Market, Nigam Bodh Ghat, Vijay Ghat, Chilla Regulator, Yamuna Bazar, Boat Club, etc. to be monitored round the clock from the Central Control Room.

Further, the Health Department has been directed to adequate arrangements in hospitals to deal with the situation arising out of the flood and the subsequent outburst of vector-borne diseases. The revenue Department and concerned DMs shall make adequate arrangements for the evacuation of nearly 25,000 persons living in the low-lying area when the Yamuna crosses the danger mark.