New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance monsoon readiness, the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Parvesh Sahib Singh, conducted an on-site evaluation of the desilting operations at the Delhi Gate drain and the Barapulla drain on Friday.

This visit underscored the scale and gravity of ongoing initiatives aimed at mitigating waterlogging issues in the city prior to the arrival of monsoon rains, as stated in an official announcement.

The Minister reported that desilting of the Delhi Gate drain has surpassed 70 percent, with over 21,000 metric tonnes of silt extracted to date.

“Work is advancing rapidly, with noticeable deployment of machinery and workforce on-site,” he remarked.

“This endeavor goes beyond mere cleaning; it addresses decades of neglect to ensure Delhi is ready before the rains come. The Delhi Gate drain, which was covered for nearly 40 years, is finally being properly opened and cleaned. This will significantly impact the area,” he added.

Regarding the Barapulla drain, desilting is approaching 78 percent completion, with more than 31,000 metric tonnes of silt cleared.

A significant milestone is that for the first time in 40 years, the slabs covering the Delhi Gate drain are being removed for comprehensive cleaning.

This long-covered structure had severely limited effective desilting, leading to persistent waterlogging in adjacent areas.

For the first time in four decades, the dismantling of these slabs allows for complete access to the drain, permitting thorough cleaning and restoration of its capacity, as per the statement.

In reviewing the overall status of the Irrigation & Flood Control Department (IFCD) drainage systems, the Minister disclosed that nearly 50 percent of desilting has been completed across 77 identified drains, removing over 1.4 million metric tonnes of silt.

The department aims to achieve a target of 2.8 million metric tonnes, with continuous efforts being made to meet this objective within the set timelines.

Parvesh Sahib Singh stated, “Our goal is clear: start early, act with urgency, and finish desilting on schedule. The progress at both Barapulla and Delhi Gate demonstrates that serious work is being done, not just on paper. Strengthening these drains will provide significant relief from waterlogging in areas like Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, Feroz Shah Road, ITO, South Extension, and Okhla this monsoon.”

The Minister emphasized that desilting operations this year are being closely monitored to ensure timely execution and quality at every level.