New Delhi – The Delhi government has sanctioned over ₹125 crore for the North Delhi drain remodelling project covering storm water drains across nearly 28 kilometres of major road stretches under the new drainage master plan. Water Minister Parvesh Verma announced this comprehensive initiative on Tuesday, promising a permanent solution to the waterlogging crisis that has plagued the region for years.
Comprehensive Scope of North Delhi Drain Remodelling
The North Delhi drain remodelling initiative represents a decisive intervention to address long-standing drainage issues that have caused significant disruption during monsoon seasons. According to Minister Verma, the approved works include three major projects covering key stretches along the Ring Road that frequently witness severe waterlogging during intense rainfall.
The North Delhi drain remodelling project will target critical areas including Model Town-2 Road, Model Town-3 Road, Kushal Cinema Road, and the Azadpur H-Point to Mukarba Chowk stretch along the Mall Road Extension. Together, these corridors form some of North Delhi’s most gridlocked routes, which are particularly prone to flooding during heavy downpours.
Strategic Investment Breakdown
The financial allocation for the North Delhi drain remodelling demonstrates the government’s commitment to comprehensive infrastructure improvement. Minister Verma provided detailed information about the budget distribution across different project segments, ensuring transparency in resource deployment.
For the North Delhi drain remodelling work on Model Town-2 Road, Model Town-3 Road, and Kushal Cinema Road, ₹33.11 crore has been sanctioned. An additional ₹48.13 crore has been approved specifically for the Azadpur H-Point to Mukarba Chowk stretch on the Mall Road Extension, recognizing the critical importance of this heavily trafficked route.
The Camp Chowk to Azadpur H-Point stretch, covering approximately 10.81 kilometres, has received approval for ₹44.38 crore under the North Delhi drain remodelling plan. This substantial investment reflects the scale of work required to modernize the drainage infrastructure in these problem-prone areas.
Minister’s Vision for Permanent Solutions
Water Minister Parvesh Verma emphasized that the North Delhi drain remodelling represents a planned and decisive intervention rather than temporary fixes. “This is a planned and decisive intervention. Drain remodelling in these areas is being taken up under the new drainage master plan so that residents are not forced to relive the same problems every time it rains,” he stated.
The minister’s comments about the North Delhi drain remodelling highlight the government’s shift from reactive measures to proactive infrastructure development. “When we talk about permanent solutions, we must also back them with adequate resources. This financial commitment shows that the government is not relying on temporary measures, but investing in planned improvement,” Verma added.
Addressing Chronic Waterlogging Issues
The North Delhi drain remodelling aims to improve the carrying capacity and alignment of drains along connected stretches, which often overflow during heavy rainfall, leading to significant traffic disruptions and damage to road surfaces. Officials involved in the North Delhi drain remodelling project indicated that recurrent waterlogging in these areas has also affected the movement of emergency vehicles and raised serious concerns over pedestrian safety in previous monsoon seasons.
These chronic problems have made the North Delhi drain remodelling not just an infrastructure necessity but a critical public safety intervention that will benefit thousands of commuters and residents daily.
Integrated Drainage Approach
Highlighting the need for an integrated approach to the North Delhi drain remodelling, Minister Verma stressed that drainage systems cannot be addressed in isolation. “Drainage cannot be fixed in fragments. The master plan ensures that water flow is managed logically across connected stretches, so one area does not suffer because another has been ignored,” he explained.
This holistic vision for the North Delhi drain remodelling ensures that improvements in one section don’t simply transfer problems to adjacent areas. The integrated approach considers the entire water flow pattern across the 28-kilometre network.
Accountability and Ground Results
The minister emphasized accountability in the North Delhi drain remodelling execution. “Our duty is to make sure public money delivers real relief to citizens. People should see the difference on the ground, not just in files,” Verma stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to tangible results.
The North Delhi drain remodelling will be monitored to ensure adherence to approved designs and timelines, with the minister personally overseeing the execution to guarantee quality and timely completion.
Impact on Traffic and Emergency Services
The successful implementation of the North Delhi drain remodelling will have far-reaching benefits beyond just preventing waterlogging. Improved drainage will reduce traffic disruptions during monsoons, enable smoother movement of emergency vehicles, and enhance overall road safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
The North Delhi drain remodelling targets some of the capital’s busiest corridors, meaning improvements will benefit a large population of daily commuters who have long suffered delays and hazards during rainy seasons.
New Drainage Master Plan Framework
The North Delhi drain remodelling operates within the framework of Delhi’s new drainage master plan, which takes a comprehensive, scientific approach to water management across the capital. This master plan ensures that individual projects like the North Delhi drain remodelling are coordinated and contribute to a larger vision of flood-resilient urban infrastructure.
Timeline and Execution
While specific timelines were not detailed in the announcement, the minister confirmed that execution of the North Delhi drain remodelling would be closely monitored. The substantial financial allocation suggests the government intends to complete these works efficiently to provide relief before the next monsoon season.
The ₹125 crore North Delhi drain remodelling project represents a significant step toward making the capital’s drainage infrastructure capable of handling intense rainfall and protecting citizens from the annual waterlogging crisis.
