Desilting of Sunehri Pul Drain in Delhi resumes

Desilting work on the Sunehri Pul Drain in south Delhi has resumed after initial delays. This comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised concerns about the condition of both the Sunehri Pul Drain and Kushak Drain. On Wednesday, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, inspected the work being done. The Chief Minister explained that the drain was covered with concrete, making cleaning difficult once it filled up. She highlighted that blockage during monsoon season led to severe waterlogging in nearby areas. "Using advanced machinery, we are removing layers of silt that have built up over the years," Gupta said. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department Minister, Parvesh Sahib Singh, added that suction machines are also being used. These machines help efficiently remove waste, and the treated water is then released back into the drain to improve flow. There are 24 major drains managed by the department, which eventually drain into the Yamuna River. In February, the NGT ordered that desilting of 23 drains should be completed by May 31, 2025, with the Najafgarh drain to be finished by June 30, 2027. The MCD has agreed to handle the cleaning of the covered parts of the Sunehri Pul Drain by making cuts at the bus depot near Dayal Singh College. Plans for exploring methods to desilt the Kushak Drain are also underway. However, the Chief Minister’s Office did not provide any updates regarding the Kushak Drain in their latest statement.