Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Omar Abdullah Orders Time-Bound Action on Srinagar Drainage
Srinagar’s chief minister reviewed how the city handles rainwater.
The city has many drains, but it needs far more as it grows.
Some existing drains are partly blocked or too old to work properly.
This can cause waterlogging after heavy rain.
Officials were told to clean drains and remove waste quickly.
They must also prepare a long-term plan for new and improved drainage facilities.
The plan will include more de-watering stations and separate systems for sewage and rainwater.
People were asked not to throw plastic and other waste into drains.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed time-bound measures to strengthen Srinagar’s drainage infrastructure.
Srinagar has about 680 km of stormwater drains but needs nearly 2,500 km more under Master Plan 2035.
About 15 per cent of the existing network is operating below optimum capacity because of ageing, silt and waste.
Immediate measures include drain cleaning, blockage removal, waste lifting, mechanical screens and backup power for de-watering stations.
A five-year, two-phase programme will prioritize commercial and densely populated areas before low-lying locations.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Srinagar Municipal Corporation officials and concerned departments.
- What
- A high-level review of Srinagar’s drainage infrastructure and directions for immediate and long-term improvements.
- When
- August 27; the report identifies the day as Thursday but does not state a year.
- Where
- Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- To reduce waterlogging and strengthen the city’s ability to manage stormwater as urbanisation and future development increase.
- Existing stormwater network
- About 680 km of stormwater deep drainage network.
- Projected drainage deficit
- Nearly 2,500 km of additional drain length is needed in view of Master Plan 2035.
- Underperforming network
- Around 15 per cent of the existing network is not functioning at optimum hydraulic capacity.
- Immediate measures
- Cleaning and de-silting drains, clearing blockages, daily solid-waste lifting, prioritising missing links, installing mechanical screens and providing backup power.
- Long-term measures
- Additional de-watering stations, separation of sewerage and stormwater networks, drain upgrades, encroachment prevention and lake conservation.
- Implementation period
- The integrated programme is planned in two phases over five years.
- Priority areas
- Commercial and densely populated areas will be addressed first, followed by low-lying areas.