Delhi drowning in its trash, silt and AAP govt's feuds with Centre

Monsoon 2024 has delivered a capital shock to largely arid Delhi. Not so much because of the rain, but because it has caused residents to drown to death, from those attempting to walk through flooded roads to unfortunate IAS candidates caught off guard by a sudden flood in their coaching center's basement library.

In fact, new waterlogging zones have recently emerged in almost every part of the city, from Zakhira in West Delhi to Satya Niketan off Dhaula Kuan to the SPA-Kotla road axis to the posh Golf Links Road and Lutyens bungalows, which found themselves in nearly knee-deep water this rainy season.

The looming question is whether this is due to the high rainfall levels alone, or if it is a man-made disaster unfolding in the capital, exacerbated by the AAP government's decade-long political slugfest with the Centre?


While many experts agree that upgrading Delhi's drainage plan is the ultimate solution for the rapidly growing city, failing to conduct even basic activities like desilting is already costing the city dearly.

A recent government assessment identified unattended silt and debris-as mentioned in the August 5 National Green Tribunal ruling that faulted multiple authorities for failing to desilt and clean Delhi drains-accumulated for over 10 years as the main cause.

The report stated:
The three arterial drains - Barapulla, Kushak & Sunehri Nalla - that account for drainage of 24% Delhi were found heavily choked at an August 4 review by Delhi's LG V K Saxena, resulting in backflow of storm water and consequent waterlogging.

Five of the 12 bays under the culverts of Delhi's Barapullah Drain were found non-functional as they were choked with silt. One was closed due to encroachment. Three of the six bays at Sunehri Nala were equally clogged as were three of seven bays at Kushak Nalla.

The Barapulla choking is said to have caused backflushing and consequent water logging in several areas in southeast and new Delhi area from Nizamuddin, to Jungpura, Lodhi Road, Jungpura, CGO Complex, Sewa Nagar and other adjoining parts.

Drains apart, the Yamuna River and its floodplains are also faced with accumulating silt restricting river capacity and water flow. In fact, such is the drag on the flow that when excess water is released from Hathni Kund barrage, Haryana, in peak period, it takes 15 hours to flow out of Delhi limits - that's seven hours more than the estimated period of eight hours.

A May 2023 bathometric survey conducted by Indian Navy to assess the navigability of Yamuna between Wazirabad and ITO Barrage revealed that the depth of the water varied from 0.4 m to 03 meters only- mainly due to continued accumulation of silt.

While the upstream level of Wazirabad barrage is supposed to be higher than downstream level by approximately 4 feet, it is now almost at the same level due to unaddressed silting.

The topographical survey carried out by I&FC Department in 2013 and 2021 found the depth of river having decreased downstream of Waziarbad barrage by 1.48 m, by 0.63 m downstream of old railway bridge (Loha pul) and 1.41 m downstream Wazirabad bridge- between 2013 and 2021.Then there's the huge dumping of construction debris by almost all agencies, which is choking river drainage points. Given the rising rate of construction activity in and around Delhi, the magnitude of dumped debris has reached alarming proportions.

Consider this:
Recent government reviews estimated 144000 cubic metres construction debris dumped by NHAI at downstream DND at the Yamuna river, 43000 CuM was upstream DND by NCRTC. There is 48000 CuM debris estimated dumped by the Railways at new Bridge on Upstream of Old Railway Bridge to account for, while downstream Wazirabad Barrage saw 16000 cum debris attributed to DMRC and the Signature Bridge area on the Yamuna river saw another 14000 CuM said to be dumped by DTTDC. Upstream of Outer Ring Road at Barapulla drain 15000cum dump was assessed- attributable to NCRTC. PWD contributed another 200 CuM in the area with construction waste. 12000 CuM debris is at various points on Najafgarh drain with DMRC, PWD and NHAI contributing.The above figures indicate the enormity of the task ahead.

On the other hand, the continued battles between the AAP led Delhi government and the Centre on almost all issues including on the recurrent Delhi waterlogging- offer little to no solution.

The Delhi LG, meanwhile, has stepped in to intervene and a start has been made with corrective steps and frequent reviews.

For starters, the LG has assigned Irrigation & Flood Control department with operation and management of all 22 major drains falling into the Yamuna and desilting work has begun.

1800 MT silt and debris has been removed from Barapullah drain, Sunheri nallah and Kushak Nalla.

Approximately 1.25 lakh CuM of dumped debris and C&D waste was removed from the Yamuna flood plains after the LG’s directions to all agencies- over 80% debris has been removed by DMRC, DTTDC, Railways, NCRTC and NHAI in several of the affected sites but full removal will take some more time.

But going by the data at hand, the way forward is a long and arduous one with a telling impact on the Capital’s urban ecosystem in the long run.