Delhi's Grand Drainage Vision: A 30-Year Blueprint to Tackle Waterlogging

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled a drainage master plan for Delhi aimed at halving waterlogging in three years and reducing flood accidents by 30% in five years. The plan involves redesigning the drainage network and integrating nature-based solutions to improve urban flooding's impact.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday revealed the much-anticipated drainage master plan for Delhi, a monumental initiative intended to meet the capital's evolving needs over the next three decades while significantly reducing waterlogging issues by half within three years.

With a staggering budget allocation of Rs 57,362.85 crore, the plan also sets ambitious goals of cutting down flood-related incidents by 30% over the next five years. It aims to overhaul the existing drainage infrastructure by dividing the city into three major basins: Najafgarh, Barapullah, and Trans-Yamuna.

Incorporating nature-based solutions, the proposal suggests redirecting surplus stormwater to natural reservoirs like lakes and wetlands, thereby enhancing ecological benefits and reducing urban flooding. For effective execution, a phased approach over five years will prioritize areas with severe waterlogging issues before scaling to broader infrastructure development.