New Delhi, Oct 23 Delhi government on Friday gave financial approval for the flood wall project to be constructed by the I&FC department, Water Minister Parvesh Verma said.
Chairing a board meeting of the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department, Verma approved several projects worth Rs 622 crore, including biomining of silt extracted from Najafgarh drain and beautification work of all big drains in the city.
As per the plan, a 4.7-kilometre-long reinforced cement concrete (RCC) wall, around six to seven feet tall, will be constructed along the vulnerable stretch of the Yamuna from the Magazine Road drain to the Old Railway Bridge, at the estimated cost of Rs 99 crore.
“The wall will protect low-lying areas during high water levels. During monsoon season, Yamuna river swells and reaches roads and houses,” Verma said.
Every year, large quantities of silt are removed from Delhi’s drains during desilting. However, proper disposal of this silt has long been a challenge, he added.
According to the minister, the panel gave in-principle approval to three biomining projects at a cost of Rs 260 crore for the scientific processing and disposal of silt from drains across Delhi.
“The projects will especially benefit the Najafgarh drain and other major drains, which carry the heaviest silt load in the city,” Verma said in a statement.
The board also discussed beautifying stretches along drains across Delhi on the lines of the Barapullah drain. Drain banks will be developed with walkways, green belts, plantation, proper lighting, and protective fencing. This will turn neglected and encroachment-prone spaces into clean, usable public areas.
“Our drains should not be eyesores. Just as we have done at Barapullah, we will make drain banks across Delhi green, clean and safe,” he added.
(PTI News)
