Delhi Drains Desilting Plan in Limbo Amid Political Row

A planned comprehensive desilting operation for Delhi's drains has been delayed amid a political tussle between the city’s minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and various bureaucrats. Despite assertions that the plan was approved, conflicting reports from government offices highlight ongoing disputes, impacting drainage management and flood response in the city.

A long-awaited comprehensive desilting plan for Delhi's drains has stalled due to a political clash between Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and government bureaucrats, official sources reported on Monday.

While Bharadwaj insists the file was approved on April 29 and will be actioned post-monsoon, accusations from the LG office suggest the plan has been pending with Bharadwaj since August 2023. The delay exacerbates accountability issues amidst a recent tragedy where three IAS aspirants lost their lives in a flooded coaching center basement.

Conflicting claims between the two sides revolve around the management plan for 18 primary drains expected to consolidate under a unified authority. The LG office maintains the comprehensive plan, initially mooted in July 2023, remains partially unapproved due to additional provisions including a draft Storm Water Drainage Act.

Bharadwaj countered with allegations of misinformation by the LG office, suggesting judicial mandate oversaw the initial order on drain responsibility. The ongoing dissension underlines persistent administrative challenges in managing Delhi's drainage and flood readiness.