Archive · 18 Jun 2025
Delhi Faces Drainage Crisis As Desilting Deadlines Missed Again
Delhi's drains are supposed to carry away rainwater, but many are clogged and polluted.
The government was supposed to clean them, but missed the deadlines.
One drain, the Kushak Drain, is especially bad, like a toxic waste site.
The cover on this drain makes it harder to clean and traps bad smells and gases.
People worry about getting sick and their homes flooding when it rains.
PWD missed desilting deadlines for Delhi's drains.
Kushak Drain, a former stormwater channel, is now a toxic sewer.
Concrete covers on the Kushak Drain exacerbate pollution.
Monsoon season is expected by June 27-28, 2024, bringing risks.
Residents report health concerns and potential flooding.
- Who
- Public Works Department (PWD), residents, and environmentalists.
- What
- Desilting delays of Delhi's drains, particularly the Kushak Drain.
- When
- Monsoon season approaching, PWD missed desilting deadlines.
- Where
- Delhi, specifically the Kushak Drain and other areas.
- Why
- To prevent flooding and reduce health hazards, but deadlines were missed.
Residents' Perspective
Authorities' Perspective
Drainage Issues and Responses
Residents' Perspective
Expressing concern about failure to address pollution and flooding.
Authorities' Perspective
Authorities are missing deadlines and inaction.
Drain Cover vs Open Drainage
Residents' Perspective
Environmentalists want concrete covers removed.
Authorities' Perspective
Authorities are criticized for failures to desilt and maintain drains.
- Location
- Delhi, Kushak Drain (Defence Colony)
- Issue
- Drain desilting delays and poor conditions
- PWD Desilting Target
- 2.26 lakh metric tonnes
- Kushak Drain Status
- Toxic sewer, covered with concrete
- NGT Deadline for Kushak Drain
- April 2025 (66% complete)
- Monsoon Expectation
- June 27-28, 2024
