Will finish desilting of 22 drains by May 31: Delhi govt to NGT

The Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the desilting of 22 drains across the national capital will be completed by May 31.

However, the department highlighted a deadlock over desilting the covered sections of the Kushak and Sunehri Pul drains, stating that the issue would be resolved within 10 days.

The tribunal is reviewing the desilting process for 24 drains that flow into the Yamuna.

In an order dated February 27, an NGT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad noted that the department’s additional chief secretary had been directed to provide an undertaking confirming the completion of desilting by the May 31 deadline.

The NGT stated that the officer had submitted a report on February 25, affirming adherence to the timeline.

However, the affidavit pointed out that desilting of the covered sections must be carried out by the respective “drain-covering agencies” unless these portions are handed over to the department after being uncovered.

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The tribunal referred to the additional chief secretary’s earlier statement that communications had been sent to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) requesting the removal of the covered portions of the Kushak and Sunehri Pul drains. However, the MCD had not responded, and the I&FCD lacked the authority to dismantle the covered sections itself.

The matter is scheduled for a hearing on April 9.

(With inputs from PTI)